An Evans man shot three times during an altercation with a DoorDash driver is expected to survive and faces an attempted carjacking charge, according to the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office. The shooting occurred Thursday in a Martinez shopping center parking lot.

Maj. Andy Shedd identified the wounded man as 29-year-old Benjamin Robert Dasher. Dasher remained in intensive care Friday with gunshot wounds to his left arm and abdomen after being struck by three rounds from a .40 caliber Glock 27.

Dasher is expected to survive unless complications arise, according to his treating physician. Investigators plan to interview him when his medical condition allows.

A family member told investigators that Dasher began behaving violently and erratically while being driven home from work Thursday, Shedd said. Dasher demanded to leave the vehicle and was dropped off in the Walmart parking lot on Bobby Jones Expressway.

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The shooting happened shortly afterward at West Town Shopping Center on Washington Road, outside Cho Ba Mien Asian Market and Formosas. Deputies and investigators arrived shortly after 5:40 p.m.

The driver was identified as Tyler J. Reese, 26, of Augusta. Reese was working as a DoorDash driver and identified himself as the shooter when deputies reached the scene, telling them he fired in self-defense.

Investigators interviewed witnesses, processed the scene, and examined security camera footage. The surveillance video showed the confrontation but did not contain audio, according to Shedd.

Reese parked outside the Asian market at approximately 5:35 p.m. After Reese stepped out of his vehicle, Dasher confronted him and demanded that he “buy me a 20 piece.” When Reese declined, Dasher shoved him.

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Reese pushed Dasher away and entered Formosas to collect his order. Witnesses said Dasher then turned toward other people entering the Asian market, yelled aggressively, and offered them $20, although they were uncertain what he wanted in exchange.

At approximately 5:38 p.m., Reese returned to his vehicle and encountered Dasher again. Dasher repeated his demand for a “20 piece,” threatened to take Reese’s vehicle, and opened the front passenger door.

Reese was sitting in the driver’s seat when he displayed a firearm, according to Shedd. He told Dasher that he wanted no further trouble and directed Dasher to leave him alone.

Dasher responded that he also intended to take the firearm. He quickly moved around the vehicle, lunged through the open driver’s door, and physically attacked Reese while Reese remained seated.

Reese fired three shots, and every round struck Dasher, Shedd said. Investigators concluded from the evidence gathered at that stage that Reese had acted to protect himself during the confrontation.

“Based on the evidence obtained to this point, Reese acted in self-defense,” Shedd said in the initial statement. He added that Reese would not face charges at that time, although the investigation’s final outcome remained pending.

In a later statement, Shedd described Dasher as a convicted felon with an extensive criminal history involving the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office and other agencies. Available arrest records document charges in Columbia and Richmond counties spanning several years.

Dasher was charged in July 2024 with driving under the influence, failure to provide proof of insurance, and failure to maintain lane. Earlier that month, he faced a charge involving possession of prohibited objects related to drugs.

In March 2024, authorities charged Dasher with hit and run, driving with a suspended license, and failure to maintain lane. Charges from April 2018 included possession of Schedule II and Schedule IV drugs and violating probation.

In September 2016, Dasher was charged with DUI, leaving the scene of an accident, and failure to maintain lane. Those earlier charges do not independently establish that he was convicted on every count.

Shedd said Dasher will be charged with criminal attempt to hijack a motor vehicle after he is released from the hospital. Investigators will interview Dasher when his condition permits and will continue reviewing the shooting’s circumstances.

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