SANTA ANA, Calif. – A 26-year-old man from Orange County, California, has been found guilty of fatally shooting a 6-year-old boy who was on his way to kindergarten in his mother’s car on a Southern California freeway. Marcuz Eriz has been convicted of murder, shooting into an occupied vehicle, and the personal discharge of a firearm causing great bodily injury and death. He now faces a potential sentence of 40 years to life in state prison.
The tragic incident occurred on May 21, 2021, when Aiden Leos was killed in a car-to-car shooting on the 55 Freeway in Orange County. The shooting followed a confrontation between Eriz’s girlfriend, who was driving their vehicle, and Aiden’s mother. According to authorities, Aiden’s mother displayed a middle finger in response to being cut off by Eriz’s girlfriend. In a chilling twist, Eriz allegedly smiled at the grieving mother before rolling down the window and firing his gun.
Following the verdict, Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer expressed the profound heartbreak of a parent losing a child and emphasized the relentless pursuit of justice. Spitzer stated that the killer was captured, and the perpetrator has been prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. The potential sentence reflects the severity of the crime committed against an innocent child.
Eriz’s girlfriend, Wynne Lee, also faces charges in connection with the incident. She has been charged with accessory after the fact and having a concealed firearm in a vehicle. If convicted on all charges, Lee could be sentenced to a maximum of three years in state prison and one year in the Orange County Jail.
During the trial, the prosecution underscored Eriz’s intent to harm someone by brandishing his weapon from the backseat of the car. Video footage of Eriz’s police interrogation revealed that he had been carrying a loaded Glock pistol for months due to his perception of people behaving erratically on the roads. The prosecution argued that Aiden’s mother’s frustrated gesture had triggered Eriz, and the shooting was a terrible choice that he had deliberately made.
In response, Eriz’s defense attorney, Randall Bethune, contended that his client had acted out of violent emotion. The defense sought to provide an alternative perspective on the events that unfolded on that fateful day.
After the shooting, authorities initiated an extensive search for the suspect, appealing to the public for assistance. With countless tips pouring in and a substantial reward fund of over half a million dollars, the search involved determined efforts to bring the perpetrator to justice.
Ultimately, Eriz and Lee were apprehended approximately two weeks after the shooting. Eriz was discovered in possession of the vehicle, hidden in a relative’s garage, with a shaved beard and altered appearance. The couple now face separate trials for their alleged involvement in the tragic crime.
This devastating case serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of senseless acts of violence and the incalculable impact on the lives of innocent victims and their families. As the judicial system pursues justice, the community mourns the loss of a promising young life.