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Alabama Teen Cheerleader Shot at Bonfire — Family Says She Won’t Survive
Heartbreak has struck a small Alabama community after an 18-year-old high school cheerleader, identified as Kimber Mills, was critically shot during a bonfire gathering over the weekend. The tragic incident unfolded just after midnight Sunday at a popular hangout spot known as “The Pit,” located near Alabama Highway 75 and Clay-Palmerdale Road in Jefferson County.
Dozens of high school students had gathered around the bonfire to celebrate the weekend — laughing, playing music, and enjoying a peaceful night — when everything changed in an instant. Authorities say 27-year-old Steven Tyler Whitehead, of Brookwood, arrived at the scene uninvited. According to investigators, he attempted to approach a girl in the group, leading to a confrontation when others intervened to keep him away.
What started as an uncomfortable exchange quickly escalated into violence. Witnesses report that Whitehead pulled out a firearm and opened fire. In the chaos, Kimber, who was not involved in the confrontation and was simply standing with friends, was struck by bullets in the head and leg.
Three other teens were also wounded during the shooting but are expected to survive. Kimber’s condition, however, is far more dire. Friends immediately carried her from the scene and rushed to get help. They managed to flag down a Trussville police officer on Gadsden Highway, who then escorted them swiftly to UAB Hospital.
Doctors determined Kimber had suffered catastrophic brain injuries. She remains in critical condition, breathing only with the assistance of machines. On Monday, her sister, Ashley Mills, shared a devastating update that shattered the community’s hope:
“She has too much trauma to her brain. She’s breathing on her own with an assisted breathing machine. There is no surgery that would give her a life worth living.”
Kimber, a senior at Cleveland High School, was the youngest in her family, known for her bright smile, dedication to cheerleading, and kind heart. Friends and classmates describe her as someone who lit up every room she entered. Teachers recall her enthusiasm, her leadership, and her willingness to help others without being asked.
The suspect, Steven Tyler Whitehead, has been charged with murder and remains in the Jefferson County Jail without bond. Despite Kimber still fighting for her life, authorities say the severity of her injuries prompted the charge, as doctors do not expect her to survive.
Vigils are being planned across the community, and classmates are wearing ribbons in Kimber’s favorite colors to show support. Messages, prayers, and tributes have poured in on social media. The Mills family is asking for continued prayers and privacy as they face an unimaginable reality.
This tragedy has left a deep wound in the hearts of many. As the community prays, they also call for justice and an end to senseless violence that steals young lives far too soon.
Please keep Kimber, her family, and the Cleveland High School community in your thoughts and prayers.
