20-year-old Woman Shot and Killed by Homeowner After Turning into Man’s Driveway

SCHUYLERVILLE — A 20-year-old Schuylerville woman was shot and killed by a homeowner in Washington County after the vehicle in which she was a passenger mistakenly pulled into the homeowner’s driveway, according to police. The incident occurred shortly after 9 p.m. Saturday in the town of Hebron. 

Kaylin A. Gillis, age 20 of Schuylerville, was pronounced dead at the scene.

She was a passenger in a car with three of her friends. The four had been searching for their friend’s home and mistakenly pulled into the wrong driveway. 

“It’s a very rural area with dirt roads. It’s easy to get lost,” Washington County Sheriff Jeffrey Murphy said at a press conference staged on April 17.

“They had been looking for their friend’s house, got mistaken and drove up this driveway,” the sheriff said. “While they were leaving the residence, once they had determined they were at the wrong house, the subject came out on his porch, for whatever reason, and fired two shots – one of which struck the vehicle that Kaylin was in… there was clearly no threat from anyone in the vehicle.” 

The homeowner, 65-year-old Kevin D. Monahan of Hebron, was charged with murder in the second-degree. Monahan was uncooperative with the subsequent investigation, authorities said. He was eventually taken into custody with the assistance of the New York State Police Special Operation Response Team.

“From all indications, she was an innocent young girl out with friends looking for another friend’s house. I know for a fact that she comes from a very good family. I know them personally. She was a young girl that was taken way too young,” Sheriff Murphy said. 

Gillis attended Schuylerville Elementary School in kindergarten and first grade and returned to the district in high school for grades 10-12. 

She was a member of the competitive cheerleading team for two seasons, a talented artist, and had hopes and dreams of becoming a veterinarian or marine biologist. 

 “Kaylin has two younger siblings in the district, who we will surround with our love and support in the coming days, weeks, and months,” according to a statement released by the Schuylerville Central School District. “Our school counselors are also available for our students and staff for support and grief counseling.”

The city of Saratoga Springs this week began their council meeting with a moment of silence to honor of Gillis.   

A GoFundMe page has been set up to assist with funeral expenses at: www.gofundme.com/f/kaylin-gillis