'She had so much to live for': Heartbroken parents of Kaylin Gillis speak out after she was shot dead for entering wrong house
SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK: The "heartbroken" parents of Kaylin Gillis, 20, shared moving tributes for their daughter, who was fatally shot in upstate New York. On Saturday, April 15, Kaylin, who was shot after pulling into the wrong driveway, was declared dead after emergency crews failed to save her.
Kaylin, of Schuylerville, happened to be driving by the home of the accused, Kevin D Monahan while she was out with three friends looking for another friend's house. Neighbors claimed Monahan was known for his temper tantrums and detested people accidentally driving by his house, according to the New York Post. Certainly, driving Kaylin and her friends onto his property had consequences, but the death of the 20-year-old was an unexpectedly terrible turn of events.
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Who are Kaylin Gillis' parents?
Kaylin was the daughter of Angelique and Andrew Gillis, who on Tuesday, April 18, remembered and cherish their daughter. Kaylin's parents recalled her as a "beautiful soul" who had "so much to live for and so many dreams" before she was fatally shot by a homeowner in Washington County.
Kaylin had hopes of becoming either a marine biologist or a veterinarian once she graduated from Schuylerville Central School, according to her obituary. She was even referred to in her obituary as the "glue" of her family and that she would "lit up any room she was in."
On Friday, April 21, a celebration of life and a community gathering will be held in memory of Kaylin. She leaves behind her two "devastated" parents, two sisters, her long-term partner, three grandparents, and a large extended family.
'My beautiful baby didn't deserve this'
Angelique wrote. "I'm lost. I'm heartbroken. I can't put into words how to even express how thankful for everyone’s love and support. My beautiful baby didn't deserve this. She had so much to live for and so many dreams. She was the light of our lives."
On Facebook, Andrew wrote, "Kaylin was a kind, beautiful soul and a ray of light to anyone who was lucky enough to know her. She was a big sister, much-loved daughter, devoted friend, and partner to her loving boyfriend. She was just beginning to find her way in the world with kindness, humor, and love."
Andrew added, "Kaylin was a talented artist, an honor student, a Disney fanatic, and loved animals. She was looking forward to starting college in Florida to pursue her dream of becoming a marine biologist. She was taken from us far too soon, and we are devastated."
Andrew wrote, "Our family will never be the same but we will be guided by Kaylin's positivity, optimism, and joy as we learn to live with her loss." He even said that he was appreciative of the assistance that his family and he have received, saying that it "will carry us through this difficult journey."
Where is Kevin Manohan now?
Manohan is being held in the Warren County jail after being charged with second-degree murder. Authorities chose to keep Manohan in the Warren County Jail rather than the Washington County Jail since Andrew, Kaylin's father, works as a corrections officer there.
Kurt Mauser, the suspect's attorney, told CNN that his client didn't even realize anyone had been hit by the shots he fired. Additionally, Mauser claimed that Monahan had informed him that many vehicles, including a motorcycle, had come into his driveway.
Mauser claimed that those vehicles were "revving engines [and] coming up the driveway at a high rate of speed," according to CNN. He stated that it "created an atmosphere and a fear that there was menace going on," for Monahan.
