In a tragic incident that occurred on May 21, 2021, 6-year-old Aiden Leos lost his life in a road rage shooting on the 55 Freeway. The Orange County District Attorney's Office announced on Wednesday that 26-year-old Marcus Anthony Eriz has been found guilty of second-degree murder in connection with the incident.

Eriz's girlfriend, 26-year-old Wynee Lee, was driving the vehicle at the time of the shooting and is currently awaiting trial for being an accessory after the fact. Aiden was seated in a booster seat while his mother, Joanna Cloonan, was driving him to kindergarten.

The confrontation between Lee and Cloonan began when Lee abruptly cut off Cloonan, forcing her to brake suddenly to avoid a collision. This action led to an exchange of gestures between the two drivers, with Lee flashing a peace sign at Cloonan, who responded with an antagonistic hand gesture. It was during this exchange that Eriz fired shots at the rear of Cloonan's vehicle, resulting in a tragic outcome.

The bullet penetrated the vehicle's trunk, passed through the backseat, and ultimately struck Aiden in his car seat, causing fatal injuries. Despite being rushed to a nearby hospital, Aiden was pronounced dead.

During the trial, Senior Deputy District Attorney Dan Feldman argued for a second-degree murder conviction, contending that Eriz had sufficient time to think and deliberate before reaching for the weapon, rolling down the window, and firing at Cloonan's car. Feldman emphasized that these actions demonstrated "implied malice," implicating Eriz in a premeditated act.

In contrast, Eriz's defense attorney, Randall Bethune of the Orange County Public Defender's Office, advocated for a voluntary manslaughter conviction. Bethune argued that Cloonan's insulting gestures provided enough provocation to warrant a lesser charge.

Nevertheless, Feldman asserted that Eriz's deliberate actions in grabbing the gun and shooting it out of the window constituted implied malice murder, ruling out any accidental discharge.

Now, with the verdict of guilty for second-degree murder, Eriz faces a potential sentence of up to 40 years to life in prison. Lee's trial for being an accessory after the fact is still pending, awaiting its own legal proceedings.

This tragic incident serves as a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of road rage and the importance of maintaining calm and respectful behavior on the road. The loss of young Aiden Leos continues to reverberate within the community, sparking discussions surrounding road safety and the need for stricter measures to prevent such incidents in the future.

As the case moves forward, the Anguiano family, Aiden's family, seeks justice for their beloved son and hopes to bring awareness to the dangers of road rage, ensuring that no other family experiences a similar tragedy.