Parents of the young woman fatally shot in New York after turning into the wrong driveway are devastated as the Washington County Sheriff revealed Monday the shooter had “no remorse” for his actions in the aftermath of the deadly shooting.
Angelique and Andrew Gillis honored their daughter, Kaylin Gillis, in separate Facebook posts, remembering her as a “kind, beautiful soul and a ray of light to anyone who was lucky enough to know her.”
“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,” she continued.
“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,” Andrew Gillis shared.
Gillis was fatally shot April 15 after she and three of her friends pulled into the wrong driveway in rural New York while looking for a friend’s home. The homeowner, 65-year-old Kevin Monahan, reportedly stepped onto his porch and fired two rounds at the vehicle as it was attempting to turn around on his property. One round allegedly struck Gillis, killing her. (RELATED: ‘I Thought He Was Dead’: Eagle Scout Came To Aid Of Teen Shot By Homeowner)
“There was clearly no threat from anyone in the vehicle. There was no reason for Mr. Monahan to feel threatened,” Washington County Sheriff Jeffrey Murphy said at a press conference.
Monahan’s attorney, Kurt Mauser, disputed that claim, telling CNN that multiple vehicles had turned into Monahan’s property, despite posted “no trespassing” signs, reportedly revving their engines and traveling at a “high rate of speed.” The situation, Mauser argued,“created an atmosphere and a fear that there was menace going on.”
While Murphy concedes there were multiple vehicles traveling with the group that evening, forensics reportedly prove the shots were fired as the group exited the driveway. “I don’t know how they could menace anyone with those type of actions, but they were clearly leaving the residence when the shots were fired,” Murphy told CNN.
Speaking of Monahan, Sheriff Murphy told the outlet, “(He), quite frankly, has not shown any remorse in this case” alluding to reported hour-long stand-off deputies had with Monahan in the aftermath of the shooting.
For his part, Monahan reportedly told his lawyer he had no idea the bullets he fired had struck anyone, adding that he had “no idea’ why four sheriff’s deputies were in his driveway. When informed of the situation, Monahan “lawfully” turned himself over to police, Mauser explained to CNN.
“This was not a standoff,” the attorney said. “This was my client and I not knowing what was going on in terms of the charges that were pending.”
Monahan was booked into the Warren County Jail and is facing charges of second-degree murder.