65-Year-Old Homeowner Shoots and Kills 20-Year-Old Woman, Kaylin Gillis, After She Mistakenly Pulled Into His Driveway

On April 15, a 20-year-old woman by the name of Kaylin Gillis was shot and killed by a 65-year-old homeowner after she mistakenly pulled into his driveway.

On April 15, a 20-year-old woman by the name of Kaylin Gillis was shot and killed by a 65-year-old homeowner after she mistakenly pulled into his driveway – she was pronounced dead at the scene. The incident occurred at around 10:00 p.m. in Hebron, NY, and the suspect was identified as Kevin Monahan. 

In a press release published by Washington County, NY, authorities determined that shots had been fired at a residence on Patterson Hill Road in the Town of Hebron, NY. When police arrived on the scene, they found Kaylin Gillis in the passenger side of her vehicle with a gunshot wound. She was unresponsive. 

Authorities later determined that Monahan fired at least two gunshots her way, one of which struck the victim and killed her. The suspect was uncooperative and refused to speak to authorities – who required the help of the New York State Police Special Operation Response Team before taking him into custody. 

Once taken into custody, Kevin Monahan was arrested and charged with second-degree murder. He’s now being held in the Warren County Jail as he awaits a court date. While it’s unclear if the victim has representation, Washington County Sheriff Jeffrey Murphy says a court date will happen very soon.

“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,” Murphy explained on April 17 – adding “it’s a very rural area, it’s dirt roads, there’s not a lot of cellular services or any type of internet.”

Murphy also confirmed that Gillis wasn’t alone in the vehicle and was accompanied by three other passengers. Once the shots were fired, the group drove to a nearby town and dialed 911 in a safer location. Despite having poor cellular service in that location, they were able to reach the 911 center. 

The investigation is ongoing and not all details have been provided, but it’s being reported that there was no interaction between Monahan and the victim or the other passengers. When their car mistakenly pulled up to his driveway, the suspect walked onto his porch and immediately fired two shots at the vehicle. 

A GoFundMe was Created for Kaylin Gillis.

On April 17, as news around Kaylin Gillis’ tragic death hit the airwaves, a GoFundMe was created by Beth Palleschi and Nikki Thomas (their relation to the victim is unknown) in her honor. They confirmed that any money raised will go directly to Gillis’ family for funeral expenses and other financial needs. 

The GoFundMe page also confirmed that Gillis had recently turned 20 years old. “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,” Palleschi and Thomas wrote in the GoFundMe description. 

Over the past 24 hours, they have raised an astounding $65,000 of their initial $75,000 goal through 1,400 donations – a total that’s increasing by the minute. There have been six donations of at least $1,000 and one of $2,000 as friends, family, and community members rush to the aid of Gillis’ family. 

Many have shared their deepest condolences for the family as they navigate this horrific tragedy. One donor wrote, “I remember Kaylin from when she was a toddler hanging out with us at our sleepovers. My thoughts are with the family,” while others shared their own near-death experiences in similar situations.