An 18-year-old woman tragically lost her life after being shot at a bonfire gathering in Jefferson County. The incident, which took place in Pinson, Alabama, involved the arrest of 27-year-old Steven Tyler Whitehead on Sunday, October 19. Whitehead, a stranger to those at the event, is now facing charges of murder following the removal of Kimber Mills from life support on October 21. He also faces three charges of attempted murder.
During the altercation, three other people sustained injuries, including Silas McCay, who suffered multiple gunshot wounds. McCay recounted the night’s events to WBRC, explaining how an altercation led to the shooting. According to him, his ex-girlfriend approached him with concerns about Mills, leading to a confrontation with Whitehead. McCay stated, “My ex-girlfriend came up to me at the party and said they were trying to do stuff to this girl named Kimber. Me and my buddy found him and started fighting him. I grabbed him, had him on the ground, and my buddy pulled me off. That’s when he pulled his gun out and started shooting.”
In a touching tribute, students from Mills’ school gathered to honor her at the hospital where she passed away. Mills’ sister shared that she had always wished to be an organ donor, with her heart going to a seven-year-old boy and her lungs to a woman in New York.
Heartfelt tributes have flowed in for Mills, with classmate Marilu Valdez expressing her sorrow to ABC News. “It was really sad. It broke my heart to know someone as bright as her, beautiful smile, beautiful spirit could have gone through that,” she said. “Love like Kimber, and to take those moments you have with your loved ones and your friends and make the most of them. You never know what might happen.”
Blount County Schools also expressed their condolences on Facebook, mourning the loss of Kimber, a senior cheerleader at Cleveland High School. “Kimber was a bright, outgoing senior cheerleader for Cleveland High School. Kimber’s smile and infectious personality will certainly be missed, but she will always be remembered. Our heart is burdened for her family and for the impact this will have on the students, faculty, and staff at Cleveland High School.”
Support for Mills’ family is being organized through a GoFundMe page, which is open for donations. For those affected by gun violence, additional resources and support can be accessed via Survivors Empowered on their website.