Victim of Triple Murder Texted Suspect’s Name to a Friend Moments Before she Died: Police

A tragic shooting in Birmingham, Alabama, that claimed the lives of a young mother, her 5-year-old son, and her boyfriend has taken a turn with new evidence pointing to a suspect. In her final moments, 28-year-old Arkia “Kia” Berry sent a text message that allegedly named the man responsible for the deadly attack. Berry, along with her son Landyn Brooks and boyfriend Eric Ashley Jr., was found fatally shot inside a vehicle in a residential neighborhood on July 13, 2024. During a preliminary court hearing, Birmingham homicide detective Jarvelius Tolliver presented new details that strengthened the case against 25-year-old Jacorrian McGregor, who has since been charged with capital murder.

Final Texts and Phone Calls Reveal Timeline

According to evidence shared in court, Berry sent a cryptic but revealing text at 5:09 p.m. on the day of the shooting. The message, which simply said “Jaco”—a known nickname for McGregor—was sent to a friend just moments before she was killed. At the same time, Ashley’s phone also placed a call to McGregor. Surveillance footage from the neighborhood added more context to the timeline. A lime green Kia Soul, believed to be involved in the crime, was captured on video at 5:07 p.m., just a minute before Berry’s blue Nissan Maxima appeared on the same camera. By 5:10 p.m., the Kia was seen speeding away, and no other vehicles were recorded entering or leaving the area. When police arrived shortly after, they discovered the Nissan riddled with bullets in a cul-de-sac. Berry’s body was found between the front and back seats, near where her son Landyn was located. Ashley was also fatally wounded.

Suspect and Victim Had Planned Meeting

Detective Tolliver testified that McGregor and Ashley had exchanged messages earlier that day discussing plans to meet. This adds weight to the theory that the suspect may have been lying in wait or lured the victims to the area under pretenses. Tolliver also referenced a witness who said McGregor later admitted to having fired a weapon, telling them, “McGregor told him he had shot.”

Defense Pushes Back, But Case Moves Forward

McGregor’s attorney, John Robbins, challenged the evidence, asking whether there was any physical link between McGregor and the lime green Kia seen fleeing the scene. Tolliver responded that there was no direct connection to the car. However, when asked if any witnesses connected McGregor to the scene, Tolliver pointed to Berry herself, saying, “She texted his name right before she died.” Robbins argued that this didn’t definitively prove McGregor was the shooter, but the judge found the evidence compelling enough to establish probable cause. The case will now proceed to a grand jury, and McGregor remains in custody without bond as the investigation continues.