A deadly shooting in the Echo Highlands area of Birmingham on July 13, 2024, left a mother, her boyfriend, and her 5-year-old son dead in what investigators now describe as a targeted attack that unfolded after what was initially believed to be a “business meet-up.”

The victims have been identified as 28-year-old Aria “Kia” Berry, her boyfriend Eric Ashley Jr., also 28, and her young son Landon Brooks. The case has shocked the local community due to the involvement of a child and the circumstances leading up to the fatal encounter.

According to investigative details shared in case reports, the incident began earlier that day when Eric Ashley Jr. arranged a meeting with a suspect he knew personally, 16-year-old Jakoran Desawn McGregor, also known by the nickname “Jako.” The meeting was reportedly described as a business-related discussion, though authorities now believe it was a setup for a planned attack.

Tragically, all three victims were killed during the shooting, which investigators have since classified as a capital murder case. Authorities believe the attack was targeted, rather than random, and that the suspect arrived prepared for violence.

One of the most critical pieces of evidence in the investigation came from the final moments of Aria Berry’s life. According to reports, she managed to send a four-letter text message — “Jako” — to a friend shortly before she died. This message later became a key lead for investigators in identifying the suspected shooter.

The case also revealed that Eric Ashley Jr. had been in communication with McGregor earlier that same day to arrange the meeting, which they believed was related to business. However, what followed was a sudden escalation into violence inside the Echo Highlands area.

After the shooting, investigators discovered that the suspect allegedly attempted to destroy evidence by abandoning and setting fire to a green Kia Soul believed to have been used during the incident. Authorities say this was an effort to eliminate forensic traces linked to the crime.

For several months after the attack, McGregor managed to evade law enforcement. However, after a seven-month manhunt, he was arrested by U.S. Marshals on February 24, 2025, on Freda Lane. He now faces three counts of capital murder.

The case has since drawn widespread attention not only due to its brutality, but also because of the heartbreaking final message sent by the victim, which played a crucial role in identifying the suspect.

Authorities have also used the case to highlight broader concerns about illegal firearms, noting that the weapon used in the shooting was previously reported stolen. Officials emphasized the dangers of unsecured weapons and the devastating consequences they can cause when used in violent crimes.

As the legal process moves forward, the community continues to mourn the loss of Aria Berry, her boyfriend, and her young son — a tragedy that investigators say could have been even more complex without the crucial final text message that helped break the case open.