On Sunday morning, a man in Alabama reported being shot 10 times while attempting to shield his friends from a gunman who fatally wounded Kimber Mills, an 18-year-old high school cheerleader. According to reports, the incident transpired at a bonfire in Pinson, Alabama, a heavily wooded area known as The Pit. The suspect, Steven Tyler Whitehead, 27, arrived around 12:24 a.m. and fired his gun multiple times following a verbal and physical altercation, as stated by the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office. The shooting took place at a party, as per a report from WVTM.
Whitehead is currently being held on a $180,000 bond and faces three counts of attempted murder. Ashley Mills, Kimber’s sister, posted on Facebook on Wednesday that Kimber had passed away at 7:08 p.m. the previous night. She was a senior at Cleveland High School, where she excelled in track and was also a cheerleader. The incident has sparked an outpouring of grief and a sense of community mourning, with family and friends expressing their sorrow and solidarity.
Silas McCay, 21, was shot 10 times—according to WBRC, in his leg, hip, ribcage, stomach, finger, pelvis, and thigh—while attempting to protect his friends, including Kimber Mills. McCay is expected to recover and may be discharged from the hospital as soon as Friday. He shared his experience on WBRC, recounting that the suspect had initially approached Kimber before a fight erupted. Despite the tragedy, McCay expressed his gratitude for the support he has received, stating, “I look at her like a little sister to me. I tried everything I could. I wish there was more I could’ve done,” he added.
Ashley Mills revealed that her sister’s injuries were too severe, with the family noting that she was too traumatized to continue efforts to save her life. They have arranged for her to be an organ donor due to her previous wishes. The family also organized an honor walk on Tuesday afternoon to commemorate Kimber’s memory. Rylie Cirbo, a friend of Kimber, expressed her grief over the loss, emphasizing her bright personality and positive impact. “I’d much rather her be known for her sunshine personality and big smile rather than the tragedy,” she said, highlighting the profound loss experienced by the community.