In a tragic case that shocked Orange County, Marcus Anthony Eriz has been found guilty of second-degree murder in the fatal shooting of 6-year-old Aiden Leos during a road rage incident on the 55 Freeway. The verdict was announced in a Santa Ana courtroom on Thursday morning.

Alongside his defense attorney, Eriz remained composed and showed no visible reaction as the jury read aloud their decision. The 26-year-old Costa Mesa resident was also found guilty of causing great bodily injury and death, as well as shooting at an occupied vehicle. He now faces the possibility of up to 40 years-to-life in prison when he is sentenced on April 12.

The incident occurred on May 21, 2021, just 10 days after Aiden's birthday. Aiden, who was sitting in a booster seat, was being driven to kindergarten by his mother, Joanna Cloonan, at the time of the shooting. According to Cloonan and witnesses who came to her aid, another car cut her off, and she responded with a hand gesture. The car then pulled up behind Cloonan, and shots were fired through the rear of her vehicle, tragically claiming Aiden's life.

After a two-week manhunt, Eriz and his girlfriend, Wynne Lee, were arrested in connection with the shooting. Investigators determined that Eriz was the passenger who fired the fatal shot at Cloonan's vehicle, while Lee allegedly drove the car. Lee now faces charges of being an accessory after the fact and having a concealed firearm in a vehicle, with a possible sentence of up to four years in prison. Her pretrial hearing is scheduled for February 9th.

During the trial, the jury considered Eriz's intent and state of mind when he discharged his Glock 17 9mm at Cloonan's car, ultimately causing Aiden's death. Eriz and his defense team admitted that he fired the weapon but argued that it was a spontaneous act without the intention to kill the child. Defense attorney Randall Bethune emphasized that there was no evidence suggesting Eriz knew a child was present in the car at the time of the shooting, stating that this fact is irrelevant to Eriz's mental state.

However, Orange County prosecutors maintained that whether or not Eriz intended to kill Aiden, his actions were driven by implied malice, leading to the tragic loss of life. Senior Deputy District Attorney Dan Feldman characterized Eriz's behavior as a cold-hearted disregard for human life, firing at someone over a gesture from a moving vehicle.

During her testimony, Cloonan recounted the horrifying moments following the shooting, describing how she was surrounded on the freeway. She noticed a hole in the back of her car and asked a bystander if it was a bullet hole, to which he confirmed. The emotional toll of the incident was evident as Cloonan broke down on the stand when shown a picture of her beloved son.

The news of Eriz's conviction brings some measure of justice and closure to the devastating loss suffered by Aiden Leos' family and the wider community. As Eriz awaits sentencing, the memory of little Aiden will continue to serve as a reminder of the tragic consequences that can result from road rage incidents.