Kaylin Gillis: Woman shot dead after entering wrong driveway while searching friend’s house
SARATOGA COUNTY, NEW YORK: A 20-year-old woman lost her life Saturday night, April 15, after her friend entered the wrong driveway while looking for another friend’s house. Kaylin Gillis, of Schuylerville, was traveling with three more friends when the person who was driving mistakenly drove the car to the Patterson Hill Road address.
The New York Post reported that the accused, identified as Kevin D Monahan, allegedly fired two bullets from his patio as the car was pulling out of his area. Unfortunately, one of the shots fatally hit Gillis. Though the 20-year-old’s friends immediately rushed her to a neighboring town for help since the place where the incident happened was not a good cell network zone, she could not be saved.
ALSO READ
Ralph Yarl: Child prodigy shot in the head after going to the wrong house to pick up siblings
‘There's clearly no threat’
During a media conference, Washington County Sheriff Jeffrey Murphy said, “This is a very sad case of some young adults who were looking for a friend's house and ended up at this man's house who decided to come out with a firearm and discharge it. There's clearly no threat from anyone in the vehicle. There's no reason for Mr Monahan to feel threatened.”
Besides, a press release from the Sheriff's Office added that the 65-year-old alleged killer was “uncooperative with the investigation and refused to exit his residence to speak with police. He was later taken into custody with the assistance of the New York State Police Special Operation Response Team after several hours. Monahan was arrested and charged with second degree murder. He was then transferred to the Warren County Jail to be held.”
‘She had a very loving family’
Meanwhile, Gillis’ heartbroken 20-year-old cousin Haleigh Eustis told The Post, “She was just so young and she still had so much to live for. She had a very loving boyfriend, and she was so in love with him. I can’t imagine how he feels right now. I know they were attached at the hip. And she had a very loving family. It’s just a loving, big family, and she had such a strong backbone from being a part of this family. And I feel so much anger that she can’t have that anymore.”
Another person known to Gillis named Chuchay Stark, 48, shared, “She was one of those kids who make you say, ‘I wish she was my kid.’ She was very attuned to people’s needs and feelings. But there was no lack of confidence. She knew what she wanted. She knew her voice and wasn’t afraid to be creative. In a small town, everybody is your children. Not being a family member, it’s still devastating.”
A GoFudnMe has also been launched for Gillis. It reads, “On behalf of the Gillis family, we would like to thank everyone who has offered their love and prayers as they embark on this incredibly difficult journey of grief and healing.”
“The dollars raised through this fund will go directly to the Gillis family for use toward Kaylin’s funeral expenses and any immediate financial needs. Again, thank you for your support of this incredible family. Your kindness, prayers, and love are felt by the Gillis family and everyone in the community that has suffered this tragic loss,” the fundraiser added.