Marcus Eriz Found Guilty of Murder in Road Rage Incident That Killed 6-Year-Old Aiden Leos in Orange County, California
In a tragic and senseless act of road rage, Marcus Eriz has been found guilty of murder in the death of 6-year-old Aiden Leos. The incident took place in Orange County, California, in May 2021, and has since captivated the nation with its heartbreaking details.
The verdict was announced after a lengthy trial, where Eriz was convicted of second-degree murder, shooting into an occupied vehicle, and two felony enhancements related to the use of a firearm. Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer expressed his relief at the outcome, stating, “While we will never know what Aiden would have become, we know that the pursuit of justice did not end until his killer was captured and this child murderer was prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”
Eriz, who is currently 26 years old, will be sentenced on April 12th and faces a possible sentence of 40 years to life in prison. The sentencing will bring some closure to Aiden’s grieving family, who have been waiting for justice to be served.
The incident occurred on May 21, 2021, just ten days after Aiden’s birthday. Aiden and his mother, Joanna Cloonan, were driving to kindergarten in Yorba Linda when tragedy struck. According to Cloonan’s testimony, they were on the 55 freeway when a white Volkswagen SportWagen abruptly cut them off in the carpool lane. Cloonan reacted by getting out of the lane and showing her middle finger to the driver.
This act of frustration proved fatal, as a person in the Volkswagen opened fire through the rear of Cloonan’s car, hitting Aiden in the back seat. Despite Cloonan’s desperate attempts to save her son’s life, he succumbed to his injuries.
The incident sparked a weekslong manhunt for the suspects, leading to the arrest of Marcus Eriz and his girlfriend, Wynne Lee, at their home in Costa Mesa on June 6, 2021. It was later determined that Lee was driving the vehicle, while Eriz was responsible for firing the fatal shot.
Lee, who was 23 at the time of the incident, has been charged with being an accessory after the fact and possessing a concealed firearm in a vehicle. Her pretrial hearing is set for February 9th, and she remains free under GPS monitoring on a $100,000 bond.
During the trial, Joanna Cloonan emotionally recounted the final moments of her son’s life. She described hearing a loud noise like a rock hitting the car and her son saying, “Ow.” She looked back and saw his head hanging down. Despite her efforts to save him, Aiden was dying quickly.
Cloonan discovered that it was a gunshot that had taken her son’s life when she noticed a hole in the back of her car. The devastating reality sank in as she asked a bystander if it was a bullet hole, and he confirmed her worst fears.
The trial also revealed Marcus Eriz’s motives behind the attack. In his interrogation with authorities, Eriz admitted that he reached into the backseat of their vehicle and fired his gun after Cloonan showed him her middle finger. When asked about the motive, Eriz expressed remorse but claimed he didn’t have an answer. He acknowledged his stupidity and failure to consider the consequences of his actions.
The trial, which began on January 18th in Orange County, featured gripping testimonies and evidence that painted a vivid picture of the tragic events that unfolded on that fateful day. Prosecutors played a recording of Eriz’s original interrogation, highlighting his admission of guilt and lack of justification for his actions.
As the trial came to a close, the verdict brought a sense of relief and justice for Aiden Leos’ family. While nothing can undo the pain they have endured, the conviction of Marcus Eriz serves as a reminder that such acts of violence will not go unpunished.
The sentencing of Eriz on April 12th will mark another significant milestone in this heartbreaking case. It is hoped that it will bring some closure to Aiden’s family and serve as a deterrent against future acts of road rage.
The memory of Aiden Leos will forever be etched in the hearts of those who knew him, and his tragic death will continue to serve as a reminder of the devastating consequences of road rage. As communities reflect on this senseless loss, the hope is that it will inspire a collective effort to promote peace, patience, and understanding on the roads. No child should ever lose their life due to an act of anger or frustration, and it is up to each individual to ensure that such tragedies do not occur again.