The parents of a 20-year-old woman shot dead when the car she was in pulled into the wrong driveway in upstate New York have said they are devastated and heartbroken.
Angelique and Andrew Gillis remembered their daughter Kaylin in separate Facebook posts 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.
The young woman was with three friends when they mistakenly drove up the wrong driveway and were shot at as they tried leaving, authorities said.
The homeowner, Kevin Monahan, 65, was charged with second-degree murder.
“I’m lost. I’m heartbroken,” Angelique Gillis wrote. “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.”
Washington Country 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.”
None of the group had exited the vehicle or attempted to enter Mr Monahan’s house before he allegedly opened fire, Mr Murphy said.
“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,” Andrew Gillis posted on Facebook.
“She was just beginning to find her way in the world with kindness, humor, and love. 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. 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 added he was grateful for the support he and his family have received that “will carry us through this difficult journey.”
The shooting happened at roughly 10pm local time on Saturday in Hebron while Gillis and her pals were searching for a friend’s home in the rural area filled with dirt roads.
After Gillis was hit with one of the two shots allegedly fired by Monahan, the driver of the car quickly fled from the home, Sheriff Murphy said during a Monday press conference. The group of friends connected with 911 after driving miles from the home into a neighboring town in an area with poor cellphone reception.
Gillis was pronounced dead after first responders were not able to save her.
