Saratoga County woman killed after turning into wrong driveway

Murphy said the group mistakenly drove up to a house on Patterson Hill Road, 19 miles northeast of Gillis’ residence in  Schuylerville. As they attempted to turn the car around, the sheriff said, Kevin D. Monahan came out on his porch and fired two shots, one of which hit Gillis while she was seated in the car.No one from the group had left the car or tried to enter Monahan’s house before he came out and opened fire, Murphy said.

With Gillis wounded, the group drove to Cemetery Road in the neighboring town of Salem, six miles south of Monahan’s residence, at which time the shooting was reported to 911. Murphy did not say if the group was trying to get to a specific location, but said that the area has little cellular service. Emergency crews arrived and started CPR on Gillis.

Washington County Sheriff Jeffrey Murphy speaks during a press conference related to the shooting of 20-year-old Kaylin Gillis who was shot and killed allegedly by a homeowner Kevin D. Monahan when the car she was in was turning around in his driveway on Monday, April 17, 2023 in Fort Edward, N.Y.

Lori Van Buren/Times Union

Someone else had called police to report there had been shots fired at the Patterson Hill Road residence. Murphy said when officers arrived, Monahan would not emerge. Authorities spoke with him through a 911 dispatcher and in person for about an hour before he was taken into custody.

“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.”

A law enforcement source said investigators do not believe alcohol or mental illness played a role in the shooting. 

A woman who lives with Monahan was home at the time of the shooting. She did not immediately return a call on Monday.

The sheriff declined to identify the type of weapon that police believe was used in the fatal shooting. Monahan is in the Warren County jail. He will have a hearing in Washington County Court at a later date.

The sheriff said it was an administrative decision to send Monahan to the Warren County jail. Public records indicate Gillis’ father is a correction officer at the Washington County jail.

One of the other people in the car was evaluated for a possible wound, but was not injured.

“She was an innocent young girl who was out with friends looking for another friend’s house,” Murphy said at the Monday news conference. “There was no reason for Mr. Monahan to feel threatened,” he said later.

A GoFundMe was created to help Gillis’ family.

“As many of you know, Kaylin Gillis was taken from us far too soon tragically and devastatingly at the age of 20,” the GoFundMe’s description says. “We have set this up to raise money for Angel and Andy’s family, to help with funeral and other expenses. Please consider donating any amount you can to assist at this time.”

Gillis was a 2021 graduate of Schuylerville High School. The school district released a statement late Monday saying school counselors would be available to students and staff.

“Gillis was a beloved member of our school community, a talented artist, and a kind, compassionate person. Kaylin has two younger siblings in the district, who we will surround with our love and support in the coming days, weeks, and months,” Superintendent Gregg Barthelmas said in a statement.

The shooting comes days after a 16-year-old Kansas City boy was shot and injured after he rang the bell at the wrong house to pick up his siblings.