“Man Found Guilty of Second-Degree Murder in Road Rage Shooting Death of 6-Year-Old Aiden Leos”

1. Long-tailed keyword: Man convicted of fatal shooting in road rage incident
2. Long-tailed keyword: Road rage shooting leads to murder conviction.

Accident – death – Obituary News : A Southern California man has been found guilty of second-degree murder in the tragic road rage shooting that resulted in the death of 6-year-old Aiden Leos. Marcus Anthony Eriz, a 26-year-old resident of Costa Mesa, California, was convicted by a jury of second-degree murder, shooting into an occupied vehicle, and two felony enhancements related to the personal discharge of a firearm causing great bodily injury and death. As a result, Eriz now faces a potential sentence of 40 years to life in state prison.

Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer expressed the devastating impact that this senseless act of violence had on the community, stating, “The short, happy life of Aiden Leos is a life interrupted, abruptly ended by a bullet that pierced Aiden’s heart. The bullet not only killed a little 6-year-old boy; it ripped a hole in the heart of all of Orange County. 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.”

The tragic incident occurred on May 21, 2021, during morning rush hour. Aiden was sitting in the backseat of his mother’s car as she drove him to kindergarten when another driver shot and killed him. The incident sparked nationwide outrage and led to an intense manhunt for the shooter throughout Southern California. The Orange County District Attorney’s Office even offered a reward of half a million dollars for any information that could lead to the capture of the perpetrator.

After two weeks, a couple identified as Marcus Anthony Eriz and Wynne Lee was arrested in connection with the shooting. Eriz’s sentencing trial is scheduled for April 12, while Lee, also from Costa Mesa, continues to await trial on the charges filed against her.

To provide more context, the incident on May 21 occurred on State Route 55 in the city of Orange. Aiden’s mother, Joanna Cloonan, testified during the trial that she had exchanged gestures with the driver of a Volkswagen Sportswagen after the driver cut her off. In a tragic turn of events, someone in the car behind her fired a shot into Cloonan’s vehicle. Distraught and in shock, Cloonan heard a loud noise and her son saying “ow” before pulling over and calling 911. Unfortunately, Aiden had been shot in the abdomen and was pronounced dead at the hospital.

The investigation into the incident was aided by tips from the community, which helped authorities identify possible suspects. The California Highway Patrol arrested Eriz and Lee on June 6, 2021, and recovered the weapon used in the shooting, as well as the Volkswagen Sportswagen involved. It was later discovered that the couple had been commuting to work in the Inland Empire region of Southern California and were in the vicinity of the shooting at the time it occurred.

As for Wynne Lee, she has been charged with being an accessory after the fact and illegally carrying a concealed firearm in a vehicle. If convicted, she could face up to three years in state prison and one year in county jail. Lee is currently out of custody on GPS monitoring after posting a $100,000 bond in 2021.

The loss of Aiden Leos has left a lasting impact on his family, friends, and the entire community. In eulogizing her son, Joanna Cloonan shared, “My heart melted every time he laughed.” The tragedy serves as a stark reminder of the devastating consequences that can arise from road rage incidents.

In conclusion, the guilty verdict for Marcus Anthony Eriz brings a measure of justice for Aiden Leos and his loved ones. The court’s decision reflects the severity of the crime committed and sends a strong message that such acts of violence will not be tolerated. The community now awaits the sentencing trial for Eriz and the upcoming trial for Wynne Lee, hoping for a resolution that will provide some closure and healing for Aiden’s family and all those affected by this heartbreaking incident..

1. “Man found guilty of murder in road rage shooting”
2. “Murder in road rage shooting: Man convicted”.