A tragic road rage incident in Southern California in 2021 has come to a close with a guilty verdict. Marcus Anthony Eriz, 26, was found guilty of second-degree murder, shooting into an occupied vehicle, and discharging a firearm causing great bodily injury and death. The shooting resulted in the death of a 6-year-old boy, Aiden Leos, who was sitting in the back seat of his mother’s car on his way to school.
The incident took place on the morning of May 21, 2021, when Aiden’s mother was cut off by a vehicle driven by Eriz’s girlfriend, Wynne Lee. In response, Aiden’s mother flipped them off, which led to a tragic turn of events. She heard a loud noise shortly after driving away and realized her son had been shot. She pulled over, took Aiden out of his car seat, and called 911. Despite her efforts and the prompt arrival of medical assistance, Aiden did not survive.
Eriz and Lee were arrested weeks later, and the trial finally reached its conclusion with the guilty verdict. In the courtroom, Eriz showed no reaction to the verdict being read. His attorney, Randall S. Bethune, had no comment on the outcome.
District Attorney Todd Spitzer expressed his condolences for Aiden’s family and emphasized the senselessness of the act. He stated, “Six-year-old boys should be playing outside in the sunshine, soaking in all the magic and wonder that is boyhood, not lying dead in a tiny, child-size coffin because a man he never met decided to execute him for no conceivable reason.”
The sentencing for Eriz is scheduled for April 12. He faces 40 years to life in state prison for his crimes. Lee, who was driving at the time of the shooting, has been charged with accessory after the fact and having a concealed firearm in a vehicle. She pleaded not guilty and is awaiting trial. If convicted on all charges, Lee could face three years in state prison and one year in an Orange County jail.
This tragic incident has left a community devastated and serves as a reminder of the dangers of road rage. It is a stark reminder that a moment of anger can have irreversible consequences. As the pursuit of justice continues, Aiden’s family can find solace in the fact that his killer has been brought to justice. Though Aiden’s potential will never be fully realized, his memory will live on, reminding us all of the importance of valuing and protecting the lives of innocent children.