Kaylyn Gillis, 20, was driving with three other people toward a friend’s home in New York State on Saturday when a road mistake led them to the home of a man who shot twice at the car from the front porch. The girl was wounded and died.
In accordance with CNN International, Washington County Sheriff Jeffrey Murphy said at a press conference that 65-year-old Kevin Monahan fired two shots and only one hit the car in which Cailyn Gillis was a passenger. The shooter was charged with second-degree murder.
“[Aquela] It is a very rural area, with dirt roads. It’s easy to get lost. They didn’t drive down that road for long, realized their mistake, and were turning back when Mr. Monahan stepped out and fired two shots,” the Washington County Sheriff said.
Geoffrey Murphy added that there was little network at the location and that after the incident, a group of friends left the location in search of a place to call 911.
The shooter was arrested hours later with the help of the New York State Police Special Operations Response Team, which had to be called because the man “refused to leave the house and talk to the police.”
According to the sheriff, quoted by CNN International, no one got out of the car, and there was no interaction between the young people and the shooter at the time of the shooting. “Mr. Monahan had no reason to feel threatened,” he added.
The sheriff also said the shooter was arrested this Monday and will be heard shortly.
CNN International adds that $50,000 (over €45,000) has been raised on the GoFundMe platform so that “the Gillis family can cover the costs of Kaileen’s funeral and any urgent financial needs that may arise.”
“On behalf of the Gillis family, we would like to thank everyone who offered their love and prayers as we embark on this incredibly difficult journey of grief and healing,” the GoFundMe page says.