The parents of a 20-year-old woman who was fatally shot after the car she was in drove into the wrong lane say they are “lost” and “devastated” by their daughter’s “reckless” death.
In Monday’s posts, Andrew and Angelique Gillis mention Kaylin Gillis as a “ray of light” and “a kind, beautiful soul,” which was captured “very early,” just months after she started college in Florida.
‘She was a big sister, a very lovable daughter, a devoted friend, and partner to a loving friend,’ says Andrew’s tribute. “She’s just beginning to find her way in the world with kindness, humor, and love.”
Kailyn, 20, and three friends were heading home in upstate New York Saturday around 10 p.m. when they accidentally entered Kevin Monahan’s driveway in Hebron, upstate New York.
The Washington County Sheriff’s Office reported that Monahan, 65, fired two shots from his porch into the car, one of which hit Gillis who was still in the car.
The man was charged with second-degree murder.
In Monday’s posts, Andrew and Angelique Gillis mention Kaylin Gillis as a “ray of light” and “a sweet, gentle soul,” who was caught “very early,” just shy months after starting college.
The parents of a 20-year-old woman who was fatally shot after driving the car she was driving the wrong way say they are ‘lost’ and ‘devastated’ by their daughter’s ‘reckless’ death
The grieving mother, who posted on Facebook on Monday, said she was struggling to come to terms with the death.
‘i’m lost. I am heartbroken, Angelique wrote. “My sweet baby doesn’t deserve this.”
She described Kailyn as “the light of our lives” and said her daughter “has so much to live for and so many dreams”.
Among those dreams is going to college and becoming either a veterinarian or a marine biologist.
According to her obituaryShe loved animals – especially goats and dolphins.
It was taken from us too soon, and we’re devastated. “Our family will never be the same, but we will be guided by Kaylin’s positivity, optimism, and joy as we learn to come to terms with her loss,” her father said.
Andrew also added his thanks to the audience for their kindness and support.
“Our family would like to express our sincere thanks to the thousands of other people and families who have expressed their support at this difficult time,” he wrote.
“We deeply appreciate your wishes and prayers, they have been heard and will carry us through this difficult journey,” Andrew continued.
‘i’m lost. I am heartbroken, Angelique wrote. “My sweet baby didn’t deserve this.”
Kaelin dreamed of going to college and becoming either a veterinarian or a marine biologist
She is just beginning to find her way in the world with kindness, humor, and love. Kaylin was a talented artist, honors student, Disney fanatic, and loved animals
Since then, GoFundMe friends have started to help cover funeral expenses.
The fundraiser has brought in just over $103,000 as of Tuesday evening.
What a terrible tragedy. My deepest condolences,” one donor wrote.
I remember Kaylin as a little girl hanging out with us at our sleepover. My thoughts are with the family, wrote another.
I am so sorry to read this devastating news. This is the second GoFundMe donation I’ve made today to the families of young people who accidentally went to the wrong address. One commenter said enough.
During a press conference Monday, Sheriff Jeff Murphy spoke with a group of reporters, as well as the Gillis family as he described the incident.
The group didn’t initially realize they were at the wrong address, Murphy said, but began to pull away when the homeowner allegedly started shooting.
As they left the house, as soon as they decided that they were in the wrong house, the person went out onto their porch for whatever reason and fired two shots. “One of them hit the car Kailyn was in,” Murphy said.
What a terrible tragedy. My deepest condolences,” one person wrote on a GoFundMe
Investigators do not believe Monahan had any reason to believe he was in any danger
“I know for a fact that she comes from a good family. “A very good family and I know them personally and she’s a little girl who was taken so far,” said Sheriff Jeff Murphy.
Friends weren’t immediately able to call 911 for help and had to drive miles to a nearby town in order to contact first responders.
Monahan is initially uncooperative but is later arrested.
Murphy said investigators do not believe Monahan had any reason to believe he was in any danger.
Murphy added, “There was no reason for Mr. Monahan to feel threatened, especially since it appeared the vehicles were leaving at the time.”
He is currently being held in the Warren County Jail.
