A Birmingham mother and her young son fatally shot in a triple homicide died the way they lived – together.

Arkia “Kia” Berry, 28, her son, 5-year-old Landyn Brooks and Berry’s boyfriend, 28-year-old Eric Ashley Jr. were gunned down Saturday at the entrance of Echo Highlands Park on the city’s east side.

It was only hours before four more people died in a mass shooting in a separate act of violence in Birmingham.

“Landyn and Kia were two peas in a pod,’’ said Berry’s cousin, Aniyah Berry. “Everywhere Kia went, Landyn was there.”

“She loved her baby so much,’’ Aniyah said. “Everything he wanted, he had. Everything he needed, he had.”

The shots rang out in the 1700 block of Indian Summer Drive, just off Winewood Road, shortly before 5:30 p.m.

Officer Truman Fitzgerald said police initially received a 911 call about a wreck. When officers arrived on the scene, they found a sedan in front of a house next to the park.

It appeared to have jumped a curb and come to a rest in front of the home. Police said the car was riddled with bullet holes.

All three victims were found dead inside the vehicle.

“We believe some sort of interaction took place between the occupants of the victims’ vehicle and the suspects’ vehicle,’’ Fitzgerald said.

Witnesses told police they believe the shooter or shooters fled in another vehicle. The majority of the shell casings were in the parking area of the park.

A potential motive in the case has not been disclosed but police said the shooting was targeted.

Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin on Monday posted this on social media:

“I really want to implore those dating people in the game to not ride with them. Don’t be in the same car. Don’t allow your children to ride with them. Don’t say yes when they say come with me or take me to make this lick.”

“It’s always supposed to be “no women, no children” but y’all don’t have a code. Too many of y’all are down with killing women and children. The only thing worse than that are the people who are giving safe harbor for those who kill women and children.”

“Over the last few years, community members who have credible information have continued to keep their heads down when a child is hurt. It makes you equal to the person that pulled the trigger.”

“Do better. Don’t wait until it’s your child. It’s not too late.”

“If this post makes you mad or offends you, or you’re asking why the mayor talking like this …Please dial Crimestoppers at 205-254-7777.”

Efforts to locate Ashley’s family for comment were not immediately successful.

Ashley was released from federal prison in March after serving a 30-month sentence for possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, court and prison records show.

Family and friends of the slain mother and son gathered Monday night at Wahouma Park, where Landyn played football on the 5U team to talk about their lost loved ones and release balloons in their memory.

Kia was a graduate of A.H. Parker High School. After graduation, she attended cosmetology school and became a license hair stylist.

“Ever since we were young, she was doing hair,’’ Aniyah said. “She was passionate about hair.”

“She loved all the kids’ hair that she did,’’ she said.

She was raising Landyn as a single mother after Landyn’s father, 27-year-old Ladarrius Jamiel Brooks, was found shot to death inside a burning Birmingham apartment in 2020.

Kia was remembered as funny and inviting.

“Everybody loved her, as you can see,’’ Aniyah said, referring to the large crowd gathered at the park. “She loved her family. She was good person through and through.”

Landyn also was much-loved. He was outgoing and bright.

“He was so smart,’’ Aniyah said. “Landyn would tell you something you didn’t even know.”

“He was an old soul,’’ she said. “He lit up the room everywhere he went.”

“He could have been president if he wanted to,’’ Aniyah said. “That’s just how he was.”

Two of Landyn’s coaches were emotional as they talked about him.

“He was a pot of gold,’’ said Darrius “Coach Traffic” Thomas. “He was the one player that lifted the kids up. He brought that spark.”

“The city needs to come together,’’ Thomas said. “A lot this happened this weekend, and it just needs to stop.”

“It’s hard right now, no question about it,’’ said another coach, Keldrick Marsh. “He wasn’t like a son, he was a son.”

“He was bright. He always brought joy. He was always smiling,’’ Marsh said. “That’s what you took from us. You took a giver.”

“He made everyone around him happy,’’ he said. “It’s just hard right now. I can’t believe it.”

“He changed everyone’s life in a matter of seconds,’’ Marsh said. “A kids’ life is more precious than anything going on this world, and everyone needs to understand that.”

“That’s our future,’’ he said, “and if we can’t raise our future, we don’t have one.”

“Everything now in the city is just senseless,’’ Marsh said. “Everybody in the community needs to come together and stop it.”

Landyn’s cousin, 9-year-old Khloee Rutledge, said she’s heartbroken.

“I just can’t believe my cousin is gone. I miss him so much,’’ she said. “It hurts me every day seeing my mama cry.”

“I’ve lost a lot of family members over gun violence and this needs to stop,’’ Khloee said. “They did her wrong, they did him wrong, they did both of them wrong.”

Anyone with information is the triple homicide is asked it call Birmingham detectives at 205-254-1764 or Crime Stoppers at 205-254-7777.