Tensions are running high in Pinson, Alabama, after the man accused of killing a high school cheerleader was released from jail.
Steven Tyler Whitehead, 27, walked out of Jefferson County Jail after a judge set his bond at $330,000, sparking fear and frustration among the victim’s loved ones.
As part of his release conditions, Whitehead must wear an electronic monitoring device while awaiting trial.
The charges against him are serious: he faces murder for the death of 18-year-old Kimber Mills, as well as three counts of attempted murder for injuries inflicted on others during the October 2025 shooting.
Victim’s Family Reacts to Release
News of Whitehead’s release hit Kimber’s family hard.
Her sister, Ashley Mills, took to social media to share her anxiety.
“That’s just more anxiety for me knowing he’s out. I’ll stay home,” she wrote.
“Justice for Kimber! That’s all we want.”
Kimber, a senior at Cleveland High School, was fatally shot during a late-night bonfire party at a secluded spot known locally as “The Pit,” situated near Highway 75 North and Clay-Palmerdale Road.
This wooded area was a popular hangout for teenagers who gathered to listen to music and socialize.
Night of Chaos at the Bonfire Party
Investigators report that roughly 40 to 50 young people attended the party when chaos erupted shortly after midnight.
Authorities allege that Whitehead became involved in a confrontation, which escalated into gunfire.
He allegedly fired multiple rounds, hitting Kimber Mills and three other individuals.
One of the injured, 21-year-old Silas McCay, recounted from his hospital bed that he was shot ten times while trying to protect friends.
“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 said.
McCay explained that the violence started when he and another man confronted Whitehead after concerns were raised about his behavior toward Kimber.
“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. That’s when he pulled his gun out and started shooting.”
Injuries and Heroic Efforts
Kimber was rushed to UAB Hospital in Birmingham with critical head and leg injuries.
Despite doctors’ efforts, her wounds proved too severe.
The hospital corridors were filled with nurses, friends, and community members in mourning as Kimber’s bed was wheeled through the halls.
McCay, despite his own injuries, forced himself to follow her through the hospital.
“She was telling me she loved me by squeezing my hand,” he said.
His brother Shane later described the emotional scene: “As soon as she turned that corner, the whole hallway was crying. You could tell she was really loved by the whole community.”
Remembering Kimber Mills
Friends and family remember Kimber as a bright, energetic, and ambitious young woman.
A cheerleader and track athlete, she was known for her radiant smile and enthusiasm.
She had planned to attend the University of Alabama in 2026 and hoped to become a nurse.
“She had a little spunk to her step,” Ashley recalled.
At a candlelight vigil at Cleveland High School, Ashley tearfully told mourners: “We shouldn’t be burying our little sister. It should go from oldest to youngest, not youngest first.
She wanted to do things I couldn’t yet, like be a nurse and help people. That’s exactly what she was trying to do that night.”
Ashley also emphasized that Kimber had never met Whitehead before the party and expressed hope that justice would be served.
“He was trying to hit on a girl there and give her things she didn’t want. We hope he gets what he deserves,” she said.
Legal Status and Next Steps
Whitehead remains charged with murder and attempted murder, and a trial date has not yet been set.
He has not entered a plea.
The Jefferson County District Attorney’s Office declined to comment on the bond decision.
A GoFundMe page originally created to assist Kimber’s family with medical bills has since been expanded to support all victims affected by the shooting.
The community continues to grapple with grief, anger, and the lingering question of what comes next.
