The parents of a 20-year-old woman who fatally shot after the car she was in drove into the wrong driveway say they are “lost” and “devastated” by their daughter’s “senseless” death.
In posts on Monday, Andrew and Angelique Gillis remembered Kaylin Gillis as a “ray of light” and a “kind, beautiful soul,” who was taken “way too soon,” just months before she started college in Florida.
“She was a big sister, a much-loved daughter, a devoted friend and partner to her loving friend,” Andrew’s tribute reads. “She was just starting to navigate the world with kindness, humor and love.”
Kaylin, 20, and three friends were on their way to a home in upstate New York around 10 p.m. Saturday when they accidentally pulled into Kevin Monahan’s driveway in Hebron.
Monahan, 65, fired two shots from his front porch at the car, one of which hit Gillis, who was still inside the vehicle, according to the Washington County Sheriff’s Office.
The man has been charged with premeditated manslaughter.
In posts on Monday, Andrew and Angelique Gillis remembered Kaylin Gillis as a “ray of light” and a “kind, beautiful soul,” who was taken away “much too soon,” months before she started college
The parents of a 20-year-old woman who fatally shot after the car she was in drove into the wrong driveway say they are ‘lost’ and ‘devastated’ by their daughter’s ‘senseless’ death
The grieving mother shared a message on Facebook on Monday saying she is struggling to come to terms with the death
‘I am lost. I am devastated,” Angelique wrote. “My beautiful baby didn’t deserve this.”
She described Kaylin as “the light of our lives” and said her daughter had “so much to live for and so many dreams.”
One of those dreams included going to college to become a veterinarian or marine biologist.
According to her obituaryshe loved animals – especially goats and dolphins.
“She was taken from us way too soon and we are devastated. Our family will never be the same again, but we will be guided by Kaylin’s positivity, optimism and joy as we learn to live with her loss,” her father said.
Andrew also thanked the audience for their kindness and support.
“Our family would like to thank the thousands of other people and other families who have shown their support during this difficult time,” he wrote.
“Your wishes and prayers are greatly appreciated, have been heard and will see us through this difficult journey,” Andrew continued.
‘I am lost. I am devastated,” Angelique wrote. ‘My beautiful baby didn’t deserve this’
Kaylin dreamed of going to college to become a veterinarian or marine biologist
“She was just starting to make her way in the world with kindness, humor and love. Kaylin was a talented artist, honor student, Disney fanatic and animal lover,” Andrew wrote
Since then, a GoFundMe has been started by friends to cover funeral costs.
The fundraiser raised just over $103,000 on Tuesday night.
‘What a terrible tragedy. My deepest condolences,” wrote one person who donated.
“I remember Kaylin from when she was a toddler hanging out with us at our sleepovers. My thoughts are with the family,” another wrote.
“I am so terribly sorry to read this devastating news. This is the second GoFundMe donation made today by me to the families of young people who accidentally went to the wrong address. Enough,” said one commenter.
At a press conference Monday, Sheriff Jeff Murphy spoke to a group of reporters, as well as Gillis’ family, where he described the incident.
Murphy said the group did not initially realize they were at the wrong address, but began to retreat when the homeowner reportedly started shooting.
As they were leaving the residence, once they determined they were at the wrong house, for whatever reason, the subject came onto his front porch and fired two shots. One that hit the vehicle Kaylin was in,” Murphy said.
‘What a terrible tragedy. My deepest condolences,” one person wrote on GoFundMe
Investigators do not believe Monahan had any reason to believe he was in danger
‘I’m sure she comes from a good family. A very good family and I know them personally and she is a young girl who was taken way too young,” Sheriff Jeff Murphy said.
The friends couldn’t immediately call 911 for help and had to drive miles to a nearby town to call first responders.
Monahan was initially uncooperative, but was later taken into custody.
Murphy said investigators don’t believe Monahan had any reason to think he was in danger.
“There was no reason for Mr. Monahan to feel threatened, especially since it appears the vehicles were leaving at that time,” Murphy added.
He is currently being held at Warren County Jail.