Cheerleader's final act of kindness: 'Hero' high school student gunned down at bonfire gives life to others
A high school cheerleader who dreamed of becoming a nurse was shot during a party in a wooded area of Alabama. The 18-year-old died after being taken off life support because her gunshot wounds were so severe.
Kimber Mills was a senior at Cleveland High School, where she also ran track.
'We shouldn’t be burying our little sister.'
Mills was attending a bonfire party over the weekend in a wooded area known as "The Pit," according to AL.com.
The Jefferson County Sheriff's Office said in a statement that deputies responded to a report of a shooting in the town of Pinson just before 12:30 a.m. Sunday
"Upon arrival, deputies discovered three victims suffering from apparent gunshot wounds: a 21-year-old male, an 18-year-old male, and an 18-year-old female," the sheriff's office stated, adding that all three were taken to area hospitals.
Trussville Police Chief Eric Rush said Mills was shot in the head and the leg.
The sheriff's office later learned that a fourth shooting victim, a 20-year-old female, had been transported to a hospital in a personal vehicle.
The three surviving victims have non-life-threatening injuries.
Police said the preliminary investigation indicated that a "verbal and physical altercation escalated and resulted in gunfire."
Kimber's sister, Ashley Mills, told AL.com that the alleged shooter was trying to talk to one of Kimber's friends, offering her drinks, and trying to get close to her.
"The girl told her boyfriend, a fight involving multiple people ensued, and shots were fired," AL.com reported.
Ashley Mills said, "Kimber was caught in the crossfire."
The sheriff's office named 27-year-old Steven Tyler Whitehead as the shooter. The suspect remains in custody at the Jefferson County Jail. Whitehead is being held without bond.
Whitehead initially was charged with three counts of attempted murder. However, an additional charge of murder was filed against Whitehead on Wednesday after Mills died.
Mills was taken to the University of Alabama Hospital in critical condition, but Ashley Mills said there was "too much trauma to her brain," and Kimber was placed on a breathing machine.
"There is no surgery that would give her a life worth living," Ashley said.
But Kimber had already decided to be an organ donor — to give others a chance at life.
"We’ve already got it set up for her to be an organ donor because that’s what she wanted,” Ashley said.
Ashley Mills told WBRC that Kimber’s heart and lungs have already been matched with recipients.
On Tuesday, the hospital staff joined Mills' family and friends for an Honor Walk — a ceremony during which medical staff line the hallway to honor a patient before being transported to the Legacy of Hope organ center roughly two blocks away.
Kimber’s brother, Michael Mills, led a prayer in the hallway.
"Heavenly Father, thank you Lord for this young woman, my sister, I love her so much Lord," Michael prayed. "I pray for swift hands of the surgeons, Lord, that we do what needs to be done to save other lives Lord."
Michael continued. "I pray no fear, no sadness Lord, no hatred. Thank you, Lord, for Kimber. Please protect us in these uncertain times."
A Legacy of Hope representative told AL.com, "Today we stand in awe of a true hero, giving of themselves so that others may live."
"May the recipients enjoy restored health and recognize the magnitude of such a rare and remarkable gift," the spokesperson stated. "Thank you, Kimber, for the life-saving legacy you are leaving behind. We honor you today and always."
Mills died Tuesday when she was taken off life support, WBRC reported.
"We shouldn’t be burying our little sister. It should be the other way around," Ashley Mills said. "It's supposed to go from oldest to youngest not youngest first."
According to WBRC-TV, Rodney Green, superintendent of Blount County Schools, released the following statement:
Our school district is deeply saddened today to learn of the passing of one of our students, Ms. Kimber Mills. Kimber was a bright, outgoing senior cheerleader for Cleveland High School. Kimber’s smile and infectious personality will certainly be missed, but she will always be remembered. Our heart is burdened for her family and for the impact this will have on the students, faculty, and staff at Cleveland High School. Please keep our Cleveland Family in your thoughts and prayers! I do want to thank everyone that has reached out to this family and supported them during this tragedy.
AL.com reported that Kimber was planning to attend the University of Alabama next year with a dream of becoming a nurse.
A GoFundMe campaign was launched to help support Mills' family, which cited Psalm 34:18: "The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed."
The Jefferson County Sheriff's Office did not immediately respond to a request for comment by Blaze News.
Anyone with information related to the shooting is urged to contact the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office at 205-325-1450 or Crime Stoppers at 205-254-7777.
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Female ex-teacher, cheerleading coach indicted, accused of sexual misconduct with student
A female ex-teacher and cheerleading coach in Alabama has been indicted after allegedly having sex with a student, a local report states.
Citing court documents, 1819 News reported that police arrested 32-year-old Makaela Caldwell Hodgins of Woodland on a $30,000 bond.
Students under 19 cannot consent to sexual relations with school employees in Alabama.
Hodgins pleaded not guilty during an initial court appearance, 1819 News reported.
Mike Segrest — district attorney of Alabama's 5th Judicial Circuit — told Blaze News the grand jury indictment occurred Sept. 12, Hodgins turned herself in Sept. 15, and her next court date is Oct. 28 in Randolph County. Segrest told Blaze News he believes Hodgins posted bond. She is not listed in the Randolph County Jail roster.
The former teacher is accused of sexually abusing a male student under the age of 19, the outlet reported, citing charging documents, adding that the alleged victim's age was not disclosed. Segrest told Blaze News he couldn't disclose the juvenile student's age but noted that there would have been additional charges against her if the student was younger than 16.
According to Alabama state law, school employees are prohibited from engaging in sex acts with students under the age of 19, and students under 19 cannot consent to sexual relations with school employees in Alabama.
In Alabama, the charge of a school employee engaging in a sex act with a student who is under the age of 19 years is a Class B felony, and it carries a minimum sentence of two years in prison and a maximum sentence of 20 years behind bars.
Hodgins reportedly had been a teacher at Randolph County High School in Wedowee. However, she's no longer employed with the Randolph County School System, a school official stated.
"Ms. Hodgins began working for Randolph County School System on August 2, 2021. Her last day in the classroom was November 15, 2024. We will cooperate with local authorities as requested," Randolph County Schools Superintendent John Jacobs told the New York Post.
However, Segrest told Blaze News her departure from the school was unrelated to the allegations against her.
In March 2022, Randolph County High School announced on its official Facebook page that Hodgins was named cheerleading coach.
"Mrs. Hodgins grew up here in Randolph County and was a cheerleader for six years at Woodland. She served as captain her senior year. She is an alumna of the University of West Alabama, where she cheered on a scholarship from 2011-2013," the announcement reads. "She will graduate with her Master's of Education from UWA in May."
The Facebook post adds that "she has been involved in many aspects of coaching cheer for the past ten years through judging try-outs, conducting cheer camps, and choreographing routines."
The announcement also says Hodgins is "married to her college sweetheart" and has two children.
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Gun-toting woman opens fire on career criminal amid alleged home burglary. Now crook's career is over.
An Alabama woman fatally shot a male amid an alleged home burglary Sunday night in Decatur, WZDX-TV reported.
A dispatch call indicated a woman said her house was being robbed, and that a male was heard screaming in the background.
State records show Brinkley served time for offenses, including first-degree robbery, third-degree burglary, possession of a pistol by a convicted felon, and distribution of a controlled substance, WZDX noted.
WAFF-TV said it picked up the following from a dispatch phone call: “10-4 units responding to the burglary in progress, 22nd Avenue caller now advising it was a black male wearing a white shirt armed with a firearm. The caller now advises she has shot that male; he is currently laying on the ground.”
A dispatch call also noted the woman shot the male in the chest and that he was "not conscious, not breathing."
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Decatur police officers responded around 7:30 p.m. to the report of a burglary in progress in the 1200 block of 22nd Avenue SW, and police said they were informed the caller shot the male suspect, WZDX reported.
When officers arrived, the male was found inside the residence with apparent gunshot wounds, and Morgan County Coroner Jeff Chunn pronounced him dead at the scene, WZDX noted.
Chunn on Tuesday identified the male as 46-year-old Narado Brinkley, and WZDX said his criminal past includes drug and burglary convictions.
State records show Brinkley served time for offenses, including first-degree robbery, third-degree burglary, possession of a pistol by a convicted felon, and distribution of a controlled substance, WZDX noted.
His records also indicate multiple probation violations, and he most recently served five months after a 2023 conviction on drug and burglary counts, WZDX added.
RELATED: Mother hid from home invader in closet with her baby — then shot thug in the head, police say
WZDX said the alleged shooter cooperated with investigators and was released with no charges at this time.
However, the station noted that the incident remains under investigation and will be referred to the Morgan County District Attorney’s Office for grand jury consideration.
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