An Alabama resident claims he endured ten gunshot wounds while attempting to shield his friends from an assailant who tragically killed Kimber Mills, a high school cheerleader.
Mills, age 18, was shot early Sunday morning in Pinson, Alabama, within a densely forested locale known as The Pit, as reported by AL.com. According to the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, the alleged shooter, 27-year-old Steven Tyler Whitehead, arrived at approximately 12:24 a.m. and discharged his weapon multiple times following a heated verbal and physical confrontation. The incident, covered by WVTM, took place during a bonfire gathering.
Whitehead faces charges of three counts of attempted murder and is currently detained with a bond set at $180,000.
Ashley Mills, the sister of the victim, announced on Facebook that Kimber passed away on Wednesday evening. Kimber was a senior at Cleveland High School, where she excelled in track and cheerleading.
Mills had aspirations to join the University of Alabama in 2026, according to Rylie Cirbo.
“Our beloved baby sister joined the Lord at 7:08 p.m. last night! She received the largest honor walk gathering the doctor has ever witnessed! Her love touched so many lives. We will forever miss you, Kimber! Feel free to share this post wherever you deem appropriate,” Ashley Mills expressed on Facebook.
“Kimber was caught in the crossfire,” she told AL.com.
Silas McCay, 21, told WBRC he was shot 10 times — in the leg, hip, ribcage, stomach, finger, pelvis and thigh while trying to protect his friends, including Kimber Mills. McCay is expected to recover and could leave the hospital as soon as Friday.
Silas McCay said he was shot 10 times in the leg, hip, ribcage, stomach, finger, pelvis and thigh while trying to protect his friends. (GoFundMe)
“I look at her like a little sister to me. I tried everything I could. I wish there was more I could’ve done,” McCay said.
McCay said the suspect was trying to talk to Kimber before a fight ensued.
“My ex-girlfriend came up to me at the party and said he was trying to do stuff to this girl named Kimber,” McCay said. “My buddy and I found him, and we started fighting him. I grabbed him and put him over my shoulder and had him on the ground. My buddy pulled me off him, and that’s when he pulled his gun out and started shooting.”
Tyler Whitehead was arrested in relation to the shooting. (Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office)
Despite being hospitalized, McCay said he visited Kimber on Sunday.
“She was telling me she loved me by squeezing my hand,” McCay said.
Kimber Mills was planning to attend the University of Alabama in 2026 with hopes of becoming a nurse.
Kimber Mills, 18, was a cheerleader at Cleveland High School. (Rylie Cirbo)
Ashley Mills previously said her sister’s injuries were too severe, adding an honor walk was held on Tuesday afternoon.
“She has too much trauma to her brain,” Ashley Mills said. “She is breathing on her own with an assisted breathing machine… We do have her on a DNR because we don’t want to hurt her anymore trying to bring her back. We’ve already got it set up for her to be an organ donor because that’s what she wanted.”
“She had a little spunk to her step,” she said.
Trussville Police Chief Eric Rush said Kimber Mills was shot in the head and leg and was taken to UAB Hospital in Birmingham.
Rylie Cirbo, who knew Kimber Mills, told Fox News Digital: “I’d much rather her be known for her sunshine personality and big smile rather than the tragedy.”
“I’m thankful for all the joy she’s brought my other friends,” she said. “She seemed like a very bright light in so many lives.”
