UPDATE 04/19/2023: New details have emerged in the Kaylin Gillis case. It was recently revealed that Gillis was not alone, when she pulled in to Monahan’s driveway on Saturday night. Gillis was driving a car with her boyfriend, Blake Walsh, when Monahan shot and killed her. Two of their friends were following in a different car. Walsh has spoken to NBC about the experience:
“We thought we were at the right address. We didn’t have any cell service to figure it out. As soon as we figured it out that we were at the wrong location, we started to leave, and that’s when everything happened.”“My friend said, ‘They’re shooting, go!’ I tried to step on the gas as fast as I could, and that’s when the fatal shot came through.”
Walsh went on to say, “I want to believe it was instant. I’m hoping it was. I’m praying it was.”
Tributes have also been posted by Gillis’ father and cousin. She leaves behind both parents and two younger sisters.
ORIGINAL ARTICLE: A 20-year-old woman in New York was killed after she pulled her vehicle into the wrong driveway, Saturday night.
Washington County Sherriff, Jeffrey Murphy, states that the incident happened when Kaylin Gillis pulled her car into the driveway of 65-year-old, Kevin Monahan. Gillis was lost in a rural area without cell service and searching for the house of a friend, who she was set to visit, when she pulled into Monahan’s driveway by mistake.
Gillis did not attempt to exit her vehicle or approach Monahan’s home. Monahan stepped onto his front porch and “fired at least two shots” at Gillis, who was pronounced dead at the scene. Monahan went back inside his house, where an unnamed woman was also residing.
“Monahan was uncooperative with the investigation and refused to exit his residence to speak with police,” the Sherriff’s Office stated in a release. “He was later taken into custody with the assistance of the New York State Police Special Operation Response Team after several hours.”
He has since been taken into custody and charged with second degree murder.
“This is a very sad case of some young adults that were looking for a friend’s house and ended up at this man’s house who decided to come out with a firearm and discharged,” Sherriff Murphy continued.
A GoFundMe for the family of Gillis has surpassed its $50,000 goal. On the page for the GoFundMe, the creator wrote,
“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 organizer wrote. “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.”
Sources:
A Homeowner Kills 20-Year-Old After Her Vehicle Pulled Into His Driveway (people.com)
Fundraiser by Beth Palleschi : Kaylin Gillis (gofundme.com)
