An Alabama resident has been arrested and charged with murder after a shooting incident at a bonfire on Sunday, which left four individuals injured. Among the injured is a young woman whose condition is critical, and she is not expected to survive.
Authorities from Jefferson County were dispatched to a secluded area in Pinson where the shooting occurred, affecting four people, including 18-year-old Kimber Mills. Law enforcement officials detained 27-year-old Steven Whitehead, who is suspected of initiating the shooting following a heated argument and physical confrontation, as reported by WBRC.
Trussville Police Chief Eric Rush provided details that Mills was shot in both the head and leg. According to a family member, Mills, a high school cheerleader, has suffered severe brain swelling and would require life support indefinitely if she were to survive, as stated on AL.com.
“We have placed her on a Do Not Resuscitate order because we do not wish to prolong her suffering. There is no surgical option that would restore her to a meaningful quality of life,” the sister explained, adding that medical professionals have indicated that Mills may only have a few days left.
The sister further alleged that Whitehead was an uninvited guest at the bonfire and was unknown to Mills and her friends. He reportedly attempted to offer a drink to one of Mills’ friends, prompting her to inform her boyfriend, which escalated into a major altercation that led to the gunfire.
“Kimber was inadvertently caught in the crossfire,” Mills’ sister recounted to AL.com.
The three other shooting victims suffered non-life-threatening injuries. Whitehead has been charged with murder as Mills has been deemed brain dead. He remains jailed without bond.
Additional charges are pending.
[Feature Photo: Jefferson County police; GoFundMe]
