A 65-year-old man has been charged with second-degree murder after allegedly shooting a 20-year-old woman in upstate New York who was sitting in a car when the driver drove up the man’s driveway, confusing it with another property.
Kaylin Gillis was in the car, looking for a friend’s house in Washington County, New York, on Saturday night with three other people when the driver drove into the wrong driveway, Washington County Sheriff Jeffrey Murphy said.
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The group attempted to leave, according to Murphy, but as they tried, the homeowner stepped outside onto his porch and fired two bullets at the vehicle. Gillis was hit by one of the bullets and later died.
BREAKING: A 65-year-old man has been charged with second-degree murder after police say he shot at a car that had mistakenly turned into his driveway Saturday night.
20-year-old Kaylin A. Gillis, from Saratoga County, was killed.
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Murphy said the rural area of Washington County is dark at night, and many of the properties in the area can only be seen by unpaved driveways. The sheriff added that no one from Gillis’s car tried to get out of their vehicle or approach the homeowner’s house.
Kevin Monahan was charged with second-degree murder in the shooting. Police said when officers arrived at his house, he initially refused to leave. A woman who lives with him was also home at the time of the shooting, according to the Times Union.
“Monahan was uncooperative with the investigation and refused to exit his residence to speak with police,” the sheriff’s office in a news release. “He was later taken into custody with the assistance of the New York State Police Special Operation Response Team after several hours.”
Investigators don’t believe alcohol or mental illness played a role in the shooting, law enforcement said. Monahan is in jail, and his hearing will come at a later date, according to police, who would not identify what type of gun they believe was used.
A GoFundMe was set up for Gillis in the wake of the tragedy. It has raised more than $39,000 of a $50,000 goal.
“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.”
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The shooting came just days after a 16-year-old boy was shot in the head after he approached the wrong home when trying to pick up his younger siblings in Kansas City, Missouri. The 84-year-old homeowner, Andrew Lester, was charged with assault in the first degree and armed criminal action.
Ralph Yarl, the teenager, miraculously survived and has been released from the hospital.
