Los Angeles, California – A tragic road rage incident on a Southern California freeway led to the sentencing of Marcus Anthony Eriz, 27, for the murder of 6-year-old Aiden Leos. Eriz was convicted earlier this year of second-degree murder and shooting into an occupied vehicle for the heart-wrenching killing that occurred on May 21, 2021.
During the sentencing, Superior Court Judge Richard King expressed the devastating loss of Aiden, describing him as a defenseless victim on his way to kindergarten with his mother. The judge emphasized the unimaginable pain Aiden’s mother endured as her son was fatally wounded in her arms.
The fatal incident unfolded when Eriz, riding in the back seat of a car driven by his girlfriend, became involved in a traffic altercation with Aiden’s mother on State Route 55. Following a series of gestures between the vehicles, Eriz fired a shot at the car carrying Aiden and his mother, tragically striking the young boy in his car seat.
Eriz, expressing remorse in court, acknowledged the profound impact of his actions, recognizing Aiden as a beloved son and friend. Despite pleas for leniency based on his background and age at the time, the judge imposed the maximum sentence of 40 years to life, citing the cold-blooded nature of the crime.
Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer condemned the senseless act of violence, labeling it as a deliberate murder that shattered the security of drivers across the region. Eriz’s girlfriend, Wynne Lee, also faces charges in connection to the incident, with her case pending as she maintains her plea of not guilty.
The tragic loss of young Aiden sparked a widespread manhunt that concluded with the arrest of the individuals involved in the shooting. The community rallied together, resulting in a substantial reward for information leading to the apprehension of the suspects, highlighting the collective outrage and demand for justice in response to such a senseless tragedy.