Kimber Mills, 18, had big dreams of attending the University of Alabama to pursue a career in nursing.<\/p>\n
But sadly, she was shot in a wooded area during a high school bonfire.<\/p>\n
Police have now arrested a 27-year-old man, who faces three counts of attempted murder.<\/p>\n
A sweetness that drew people in<\/p>\n
Eighteen-year-old Kimber Mills was the kind of person whose heart seemed to have no limits \u2014 always ready to lend a hand, always thinking of others first. A senior at Cleveland High School in Blount County, Alabama, she balanced her life as a cheerleader with running track, radiating energy and school spirit.<\/p>\n
Kimber had big dreams, planning to attend the University of Alabama next year to pursue her goal of becoming a nurse, a path that reflected her caring nature.<\/p>\n
Kimber\u2019s sister, Ashley describes her sister as warm and friendly, with a sweetness that drew people in, yet Kimber had a spark, a fiery determination that made her uniquely herself.<\/p>\n
\u201cShe had a little spunk to her step,\u201d Ashley told AL.com.<\/p>\n
But tragically, Kimber\u2019s bright future was cut short. On October 18, Kimber was shot and killed in a heavily wooded area in Pinson, Alabama, known as The Pit, during a high school bonfire.<\/p>\n
Caught in the crossfire<\/p>\n
The Jefferson County Sheriff\u2019s Office reported that 27-year-old Steven Tyler Whitehead arrived around 12:24 a.m., and after a verbal and physical altercation, fired multiple shots. In addition to Mills, a 18-year-old man, a 21-year-old man, and a 20-year-old woman were also struck bygunfire.<\/p>\n
Whitehead has been charged with three counts of attempted murder and is being held on a $180,000 bond.<\/p>\n
\u201cKimber was caught in the crossfire,\u201d her sister Ashley Mills told AL.com, adding that the shooter was unknown to the group and had reportedly approached one of Kimber\u2019s friends, sparking the fight that ended in tragedy.<\/p>\n
Kimber was taken off life support on Oct. 21. Kimber\u2019s family shared that more than 100 people came to see her while she was at the hospital.<\/p>\n
Ashley shared on Facebook, \u201cOur sweet baby sister went to be with the Lord at 7:08 p.m. last night! She has had the biggest gathering for honor walk the doc has ever seen! She was and is so loved by so many. We will miss you Kimber! Everyone is free to share this post anywhere they feel necessary!\u201d<\/p>\n
Despite her untimely death, Kimber\u2019s generous spirit continues to shine.<\/p>\n
Facing the severity of her injuries, the family made the selfless decision to honor her wish to become an organ donor.<\/p>\n
\u201cShe has too much trauma to her brain,\u201d Ashley said. \u201cShe is breathing on her own with an assisted breathing machine\u2026 We do have her on a DNR because we don\u2019t want to hurt her anymore trying to bring her back. We\u2019ve already got it set up for her to be an organ donor because that\u2019s what she wanted.\u201d<\/p>\n
A final \u201chonor walk\u201d was held at UAB Hospital as staff lined the halls to pay tribute while Kimber was taken into surgery for organ donation.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was just a lot of tears and hugs and goodbyes and to me it was God\u2019s will,\u201d recalled Jerrita Hollis, who witnessed the event.<\/p>\n
Final act<\/p>\n
Through her donation, Kimber will give others a chance to experience milestones she never got to: graduations, weddings, even just another breath of life.<\/p>\n
\u201cNationally, there\u2019s about 100,000 people waiting for an organ donation, but in our state we have 1,200 people approximately waiting,\u201d said Ann Rayburn, director of education for Legacy of Hope, to WBRC.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat I think about is that each of those numbers is somebody\u2019s sister, mother, father, brother \u2014 somebody\u2019s loved one that needs that transplant.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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