Marcus Anthony Eriz, a Costa Mesa resident, has been found guilty of second-degree murder in the tragic road rage shooting of 6-year-old Aiden Leos on the 55 Freeway. The Orange County jury also convicted Eriz of causing great bodily injury and death, as well as shooting at an occupied vehicle. The verdict was announced in a Santa Ana courtroom, where Eriz sat alongside his defense attorney, showing no visible reaction to the jury’s decision.
Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer expressed the profound grief experienced by Aiden’s parents, stating that no words could adequately describe the heartbreak of losing a child. He described Aiden’s life as “interrupted” and “abruptly ended by a bullet that pierced Aiden’s heart.” The tragedy not only took the life of a young boy but also left a hole in the hearts of all Orange County residents.
Joanna Cloonan, Aiden’s mother, received the news of the guilty verdict through a text message from District Attorney Spitzer. Her response, “good, thank you Todd,” demonstrated her relief and gratitude. Spitzer described Cloonan as a completely broken-down person, emphasizing her immense pain and distress throughout the trial. He commended her bravery and strength, stating that she had done an amazing job testifying in court and referred to her as a hero.
The incident that led to Aiden’s death occurred on May 21, 2021, just ten days after his sixth birthday. Aiden was seated in a booster seat while his mother was driving him to kindergarten when another car abruptly cut her off. In response, Cloonan made a hand gesture, which caused the other car to slip in behind her. Moments later, a shot was fired through the rear of her vehicle, tragically taking Aiden’s life.
The suspect in this case, Marcus Anthony Eriz, was apprehended after a two-week manhunt. Eriz, now 26 years old, was the passenger in the car and fired the fatal shot at Cloonan’s vehicle. His girlfriend, Wynne Lee, who was driving the car at the time, faces charges of being an accessory after the fact and having a concealed firearm in a vehicle. If convicted, she could face up to four years behind bars.
Throughout the trial, the key question for the jury was Eriz’s intent and state of mind when he fired his weapon. While Eriz and his defense team admitted that he did shoot the gun, they argued that it was a spontaneous act with no intent to kill Aiden. Defense attorney Randall Bethune emphasized that there was no evidence to suggest that Eriz knew a child was in the car and proposed that his client should be charged with voluntary manslaughter instead.
However, Orange County prosecutors countered this argument, asserting that regardless of Eriz’s intention, he acted with implied malice that resulted in the death of a child. They described his actions as callous and cold-hearted, firing at someone over a gesture as they drove away. During questioning, Eriz revealed that he had begun carrying the gun due to increased hostility on local freeways but struggled to provide a clear motive for shooting at Cloonan’s vehicle.
Joanna Cloonan’s emotional testimony during the trial painted a vivid picture of the events on the freeway that day. She described feeling surrounded and unable to see what was happening with Aiden. When she noticed a hole in the back of her car, she asked another driver if it was a bullet hole, to which he sadly confirmed her suspicions. The heartbreaking moment came when Cloonan was shown a picture of Aiden and broke down in tears on the stand.
Now that Marcus Anthony Eriz has been found guilty of second-degree murder, he faces the possibility of up to 40 years to life in prison. His sentencing is scheduled for April 12. Meanwhile, his girlfriend, Wynne Lee, awaits her pretrial hearing on February 9.
The verdict in this case brings a small measure of justice for Aiden Leos and his grieving family. It serves as a reminder of the devastating consequences that can arise from road rage incidents and the importance of maintaining restraint and empathy while on the road. Aiden’s life may have been tragically cut short, but his memory will serve as a poignant reminder of the need for compassion and understanding in our daily lives.
