Kevin Monahan, a New York resident convicted of the murder of 20-year-old Kaylin Gillis, was sentenced to 25 years to life on Friday. The tragic incident occurred on April 15 when Gillis and a group of young people mistakenly entered Monahan’s driveway while searching for a party in rural Hebron, approximately 40 miles north of Albany.
In January, Monahan was found guilty of second-degree murder, reckless endangerment, and tampering in connection with Gillis’ death. The court heard that Monahan felt threatened by the vehicles and a motorcycle entering his driveway, perceiving it as an attempt to block him in.
In response, he turned on floodlights, grabbed a 20-gauge shotgun, and fired a warning shot. Tragically, a second shot was unintentionally discharged, fatally injuring Gillis, as Monahan claimed he tripped over nails on his deck.
New York Man Who Fatally Shot a Woman (Credits: Times Union)
During the trial, Monahan expressed feeling as if his soul was dead. Alongside the life sentence, he also received a smaller consecutive sentence for tampering with evidence related to the case.
Gillis’ boyfriend, Blake Walsh, shared details about the incident with NBC News, explaining that the group, realizing they were at the wrong address, attempted to leave when gunshots were fired. Walsh, who was driving a Ford Explorer, recounted attempting to accelerate, only for the fatal shot to strike Gillis.
The group had to drive several miles to reach an area with cell service before calling 911. Tragically, Gillis was pronounced dead, and Walsh revealed that she had been shot in the neck.
The sentencing reflects the severe consequences of a tragic misunderstanding, with Monahan now facing a lengthy prison term for the unintended and devastating outcome of an incident that began as a simple navigational mistake.
