BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WIAT) – A Birmingham family is grieving the deaths of a woman and her young son who were shot inside a car Saturday evening.
Loved ones say 28-year-old Arkia Berry and her five-year-old son Landyn Brooks were inseparable.
Arkia, known by friends and family as Kia, was a Parker High School graduate and licensed cosmetologist. Landyn was going to start kindergarten in the fall and loved Spider-Man and playing football, Arkia's cousin A'niya told CBS 42.
A'niya is also certain Arkia would have protected her child in their final moments.
Birmingham Police Department is investigating the shooting as a targeted attack. In the moments before the shooting, Arkia and Landyn were inside a car with 28-year-old Eric Ashley Jr. at Echo Highlands Park.
Detectives believe an interaction occurred with a suspect or suspects, which led to shots being fired at their car. The bullet-riddled vehicle ended up in the 1700 block of Indian Summer Drive, where all three victims were found dead.
“For those who are responsible for those heinous crimes, I want you to know we will be coming for you with full force, with every piece of law enforcement that we have," Birmingham Police Chief Scott Thurmond stated during a press conference Sunday. "We will be coming for you."
Patricia Ann Dailey has lived in the Echo Highlands area for nearly 30 years. She says she's called the mayor's office numerous times in the past due to safety concerns regarding the park.
“This could have been prevented if the police officers had just had a patrol," Dailey said. "We’re talking about two 28-year-olds and a baby. That could have been my grandchild, and I am very upset about it and I want the Mayor to know, 'No, this is not going to happen again.'"
Court records show Eric Ashley Jr. had a past criminal history. However, there is no word on motive at this time. The family confirmed that Arkia and Eric were dating at the time of their deaths.