In a tragic incident that shocked the community, 26-year-old Marcus Anthony Eriz was found guilty of second-degree murder in the road rage shooting that claimed the life of 6-year-old Aiden Leos on the 55 Freeway in Southern California in 2021. The verdict was announced on Thursday by the Orange County District Attorney's Office, revealing that Eriz was also found guilty of shooting into an occupied vehicle and discharging a firearm causing great bodily injury and death.

The heartbreaking incident occurred on the morning of May 21, 2021, as Aiden was sitting in a booster seat in the back seat of his mother's car, being driven to school. Aiden's mother, Joanna Cloonan, had a heated exchange with Eriz's girlfriend, Wynne Lee, after Lee cut her off while traveling on the freeway. Cloonan testified that she flipped off Lee, which reportedly angered her. Moments later, Cloonan heard a loud noise and her son saying “ow” before pulling over to the side of the freeway and realizing that Aiden had been shot. She immediately called 911 and pulled him out of his car seat.

The trial revealed that Eriz had pulled out a gun, reached out the window, and fired a shot at Cloonan's car, which went through the trunk and pierced Aiden's heart. The shooting sent shockwaves through the community, which heavily relies on freeways for commuting to work and school. Authorities launched an intense manhunt, lasting more than two weeks, before apprehending Eriz and Lee outside their apartment in Costa Mesa.

The jury's verdict was met with a lack of reaction from Eriz, who remained stoic throughout the proceedings. His attorney, Randall S. Bethune, had no comment on the verdict. The Orange County District Attorney's Office highlighted the tragic loss of Aiden's life, emphasizing that he should have been playing outside, experiencing the joys of childhood, rather than being a victim of senseless violence.

District Attorney Todd Spitzer expressed his determination to seek justice for Aiden, stating that the pursuit of justice did not end until his killer was captured and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. Eriz now faces a potential sentence of 40 years to life in state prison when he is scheduled to be sentenced on April 12.

Meanwhile, Lee, who was driving the vehicle during the shooting, has been charged with one felony count of accessory after the fact and one misdemeanor count of having a concealed firearm in a vehicle. She has pleaded not guilty and is awaiting trial. Lee is currently out of custody on GPS monitoring after posting a $100,000 bond in July 2021. If convicted on all charges, she could face three years in state prison and one year in an Orange County jail.

The trial shed light on the events leading up to the tragic shooting. The dispute between Cloonan and Lee began when Lee cut off Cloonan's car, prompting Cloonan to respond with a rude gesture. This exchange reportedly angered Lee, leading to the fateful confrontation. Eriz admitted to police that he fired the shot, knowing it was dangerous, but claimed that he did not intend to kill anyone and was unaware of the consequences until days later.

During the trial, Eriz's attorney argued for a voluntary manslaughter conviction, contending that the provocation from Cloonan's insulting gesture justified a lesser charge. However, the prosecution argued that Eriz had enough time to reflect on his actions, demonstrating "implied malice" and warranting a second-degree murder conviction.

Following the verdict, District Attorney Spitzer addressed the media, expressing the devastating impact of Eriz's reckless and cold-hearted behavior. He emphasized the pain that Aiden's mother had to endure, holding her bleeding son on the side of the freeway. Spitzer stressed that Eriz's actions, driven by the decision to carry a gun and use it to take a human life, were inexcusable.

The trial has brought some closure to Aiden's family and the community, but the case is not yet over. Lee's trial for her involvement in the incident is still pending, and further legal proceedings will determine her fate. The tragedy serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of road rage and the importance of addressing conflicts peacefully.