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Alabama Woman’s Final Text Identifies Alleged Killer in Tragic Triple Homicide

An Alabama woman tragically murdered in a triple homicide reached out to a friend moments before her death, providing crucial information that would assist law enforcement in identifying her alleged assailant.

Local news sources, including AL.com, report that 28-year-old Arkia “Kia” Berry sent a text reading “Jaco” shortly before her life was cut short in July 2024. This nickname refers to 25-year-old Jacorrian McGregor, who has since been arrested in connection with her death.

McGregor now faces a capital murder charge related to the killings of Arkia, her five-year-old son, Landyn Brooks, and her boyfriend, Eric Ashley Jr., aged 28.

Details surrounding the incident reveal that, on the day of the shooting, police responded to a report of a car accident in Birmingham’s Echo Highlands neighborhood. Upon arrival, authorities discovered all three victims dead from multiple gunshot wounds inside their vehicle.

During a preliminary hearing on April 17, Birmingham homicide detective Jarvelius Tolliver testified that investigators leveraged evidence from both Arkia’s and McGregor’s phones to establish a connection between them and reconstruct the events leading to the tragic loss of life.

Tolliver stated that Arkia was driving the car at the time of the shooting, with her boyfriend in the front seat and Landyn seated behind her. Arkia was found slumped across the center console, while investigators recovered between 20 and 30 shell casings from the crime scene.

Significantly, the detective emphasized Arkia’s last communication, revealing that her text to a friend contained the name “Jaco,” which investigators connected directly to McGregor’s identity. Evidence also indicated that McGregor’s associates were messaging him about the shooting, advising him to “lay low” and avoid detection.

Authorities noted that in the aftermath of the shooting, a green Kia, suspected to be involved, was stolen and subsequently set on fire. Surveillance footage captured this vehicle near Arkia’s car, suggesting the possibility of a coordinated attack.

The incident unfolded on July 13, 2024, with police receiving a 911 call around 5 p.m. Their initial investigation suggested that an interaction occurred between the victims’ vehicle and that of the assailants, adding further complexity to the case.

McGregor was not apprehended until February 24, following collaboration with the U.S. Marshals Service Fugitive Task Force. Details concerning the relationships among Arkia, Eric Ashley, and McGregor remain unclear.

Arkia was known as a dedicated hairstylist. Her son, Landyn, who was passionate about football, was preparing to enter kindergarten that fall. Family members have described their bond as extremely close, highlighting the nurturing nature of Arkia’s care for her son.

In light of the tragedy, officer Truman Fitzgerald remarked on the harrowing impact such crimes have on the community, emphasizing the unique heartbreak caused by the involvement of a child. “We have to ask the question, ‘When is enough going to be enough?’ ” he stated.

Currently, McGregor is being held at the Jefferson County Jail without bond, following a ruling from a judge affirming that sufficient evidence exists for his case to progress through the legal system.

Source
people.com