Tamera Mowry celebrates son’s birthday with tearful tribute to her niece who died in a shooting

Tamera Mowry took to Instagram to celebrate her son Aiden's sixth birthday. But it was a bittersweet post due to her recent loss.

"The Real" co-host posted a photo of her son who stood in front of Alaina Housley, Mowry's niece. Sadly, Housley was one of the victims of the Thousand Oaks shooting that took place last week.

In the heartwarming photo, the 18-year-old stooped down while holding two large bouquets of flowers. She and Aiden looked up at the camera as Housley smiled brightly.

Follow us on Twitter for more @amomama.

Mowry captioned the photo with the text:

“Happy 6th birthday Aden! Alaina was excited to come to your birthday party. But as you said buddy, ‘She lives in your heart now.’ We love you."

Mowry's husband Adam Housley posted the same photo with the caption:

“He was so excited to give you these flowers and as today as we celebrate his 6th birthday he says you are in his heart Alaina. We miss you so.. but I know you are here and you are with him."

He continued with more sweet words:

"Please be his guardian angel and Arian’s. Happy birthday Aiden, as sad as we are, we are so blessed you have a heart like your cousin and we know you will carry her spirit for the rest of your life and make this world a better place.”

Housley was among 12 others who were killed at the Borderline Bar & Grill on November 7. Mowry, who is Housley's aunt through marriage, wrote a tribute upon learning of her niece's death.

In it she says, "my heart breaks. I'm still in disbelief. It's not fair how you were taken and how soon you were taken from us."

"I was blessed to know you ever since you were 5. You stole my heart. I will miss our inside jokes, us serenading at the piano."

People also reported that Mowry told the magazine:

“Our hearts are broken. Alaina was an incredible young woman with so much life ahead of her and we are devastated that her life was cut short in this manner. We thank everyone for your prayers and ask for privacy at this time.”

The heartwrenching event has seen an outpouring of support for victims' families. Additionally, a memorial site was erected near the bar where the shooting occurred.

It continues to grow as the Ventura County keeps on digging into why Ian David Long committed the heinous act on November 7. For now, Sheriff's Sergeant Garo Kuredijan said they are "not even close" to figuring out a motive.

Mowry and the many others affected are thus left with broken hearts for no discernible reason. We hope that they are able to stay strong amid their loss.