CLEVELAND, ALABAMA – A teenage cheerleader’s life hangs in the balance after a violent bonfire shooting near Pinson. Senior cheerleader Kimber Mills, 18, is now brain-dead following the early-morning incident and will soon be taken off life support, her family confirmed.
What Happened
The shooting occurred around 12:24 a.m. on Sunday at a wooded gathering spot known locally as The Pit in east Jefferson County. Investigators say 27-year-old Steven Tyler Whitehead entered the group, allegedly harassed a girl in attendance, and then opened fire after a confrontation. Mills was among four people hit by gunfire; she sustained a bullet to the head and another to the leg.
The Young Victim’s Condition
Hospitalized at UAB Hospital in Birmingham, Mills was placed on a ventilator. Medical staff told her family that no surgery could restore meaningful brain function. “She has too much trauma to her brain… There is no surgery that would give her a life worth living,” said her sister, Ashley Mills. The decision was made to withdraw life support once brain death is formally declared, and Mills will become an organ donor.
Community Response and Vigil
As word spread, hundreds from the Blount and Jefferson County areas gathered in solidarity. On Monday evening, students and families held a vigil at the football field of Cleveland High School in Mills’ honor. Many wore pink ribbons as a tribute. A fundraiser was launched to support Mills’ family and the other victims.
Legal Action
Whitehead remains in jail at the Jefferson County detention facility. He was initially charged with murder, and further charges for the additional victims are pending. The sheriff’s office has urged anyone with information about the incident to come forward.
A Life Cut Short
Mills, who excelled in cheerleading and track, had aspirations of attending college and becoming a nurse. Her family describes her as bubbly, kind-hearted, and full of potential. In the tragic hours ahead, they prepare to say farewell and honor her decision to give life through organ donation.
The incident casts a shadow over what should have been a celebration among friends. Investigators continue working to piece together the events that led to the deadly confrontation, and the community remains in stunned support of Mills’ family and the other injured victims.
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