A Gadsden woman was killed early Thursday morning when gunfire erupted in southwest Birmingham.

Her mother identified her as Te'kia Turner, 21. She was in Birmingham with another young woman and man visiting friends.

Birmingham police said the shooting happened about 12:35 a.m. near the corner of Lomb Avenue and Woodland Avenue, just outside of the Citgo service station. West Precinct Sgt. Danny Woodard said the victim was in the back seat of a Ford Taurus when at least one bullet pierced a small, rear driver's side window and struck her in the head.

Woodard said the Taurus was stopped in front of a home on Woodland Avenue when another vehicle approached and opened fire on the car. He said six to eight gunshots were fired.

Turner was pronounced dead on the scene, still in the vehicle.

Christina Underwood, 19, was driving the vehicle in which Turner was riding. There was a male passenger in the front seat. She said they had just pulled out of the driveway of the home when the car pulled up and someone inside started shooting.

"That was my friend,'' said a visibly upset Underwood. "They killed my baby."

Police said no suspects were in custody and a description of the suspect or suspects had not been released.

Turner's mother, Janet Turner, and one of her other daughters rushed to Birmingham from Gadsden as soon as they got the call. She said she had no idea what happened and was stunned by the news.

"I love all my kids,'' said the mother of five. "I'm going to miss her."

Police said later Thursday morning the investigation is ongoing. "Right now, we have no reason to believe the victim was the intended target so we are investigating the actions and histories of those present during the shooting,'' said Sgt. Bryan Shelton. "We will work hard to get justice and answers for the family."

Te'kia Turner is the city's 41st homicide this year. Of those, at least two have been ruled justifiable. In all of Jefferson County, there have been 58 homicides in 2017, including the 41 in Birmingham.

Police are asking that anyone with information about the slaying call homicide detectives at 205-254-1764 or Crime Stoppers at 205-254-7777.