- Marcus Eriz found guilty of murder in the road rage incident that killed 6-year-old Aiden Leos in California.
- Eriz convicted on charges of second-degree murder, shooting into an occupied vehicle, and two felony enhancements.
- Eriz’s girlfriend, Wynne Lee, charged as an accessory after the fact; Cloonan hopes for justice in memory of her son.
Additional Coverage:
- Suspect found guilty of killing 6-year-old boy in road rage incident (abcnews.go.com)
Marcus Eriz has been found guilty of murder in the road rage incident that resulted in the death of 6-year-old Aiden Leos in Orange County, California, in 2021. Eriz was convicted on charges of second-degree murder, shooting into an occupied vehicle, and two felony enhancements for causing great bodily injury and death with a firearm. Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer expressed his satisfaction with the verdict, stating that justice was served for Aiden. Eriz will be sentenced on April 12 and could face 40 years to life in prison for his crimes.
On May 21, 2021, Aiden Leos was shot and killed while sitting in his booster seat as his mother, Joanna Cloonan, was driving him to kindergarten in Yorba Linda. Cloonan testified that a white Volkswagen SportWagen abruptly cut her off on the 55 freeway while she was in the carpool lane. She switched lanes to avoid the vehicle and showed her middle finger in response. Shortly after, someone in the Volkswagen opened fire, and Aiden was struck in the back seat.
After an extensive manhunt, Marcus Eriz and his girlfriend, Wynne Lee, were arrested on June 6, 2021, at their home in Costa Mesa, California. Investigators later determined that Lee was driving the vehicle while Eriz fired the fatal shots. Lee has been charged as an accessory after the fact and with possessing a concealed firearm in a vehicle. Her pretrial hearing is set for February 9.
During the trial, Joanna Cloonan tearfully recounted the moments after her car was shot at, describing how she heard a loud noise and her son saying, “Ow.” She attempted to save Aiden’s life but realized he was dying quickly. Cloonan pulled over, tried to get him out of his car seat, and called 911. She discovered a bullet hole in the back of her car and was informed by a witness that it was, indeed, a gunshot that took her son’s life.
Aiden Leos was rushed to Children’s Hospital of Orange County but was pronounced dead. At the trial, prosecutors played a recording of Marcus Eriz’s interrogation, where he admitted to grabbing his gun from the backseat and shooting at Cloonan’s car after she showed him her middle finger. Eriz claimed he didn’t have a motive and didn’t consider the consequences of his actions.
The sentencing for Marcus Eriz will take place in April. Meanwhile, Joanna Cloonan continues to mourn the loss of her beloved son and hopes that justice will be served in his memory.
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- Suspect found guilty of killing 6-year-old boy in road rage incident (abcnews.go.com)