SANTA ANA, Calif. – The trial of Marcus Eriz, accused in the 2021 shooting death of 6-year-old Aiden Leos on a Southern California freeway, began with opening statements on Thursday. The tragic incident occurred on May 21, 2021, when Aiden was fatally shot in a car-to-car shooting following a confrontation on the 55 Freeway in Orange County.
Eriz, 26, has pleaded not guilty to charges of murder and discharging a firearm at a vehicle. The fatal shot was fired after a driver cut off Aiden’s mother, who responded by displaying a gesture, ultimately leading to the tragic shooting. The prosecutor accused Eriz of acting callously when he fired the round that struck Aiden in the back seat of the car, inflicting fatal injuries.
The trial is expected to include testimony from Aiden’s mother, Joanna Cloonan, who heard her son’s distress and flagged down an off-duty police officer after pulling over on the freeway. Additionally, the 911 call from Cloonan and testimony from the off-duty officer are expected to be presented during the trial.
During the opening statements, the prosecutor emphasized that the incident was not a road rage case, but rather an expression of indifference and callous disregard for human life by Eriz. However, the defense argued that Eriz’s actions were a result of a lapse of reason and judgment, claiming that he did not intend to kill anyone when he opened fire.
Following the shooting, a days-long law enforcement search for the shooter led to the arrest of Eriz, who was later found to have stashed the vehicle involved in a relative’s garage and altered his appearance in an attempt to evade authorities. He and his girlfriend, Wynne Lee, who is charged as an accessory after the fact, are being tried separately.
The trial is expected to reveal more details surrounding the tragic incident and the events that followed, shedding light on the circumstances and the legal proceedings in the case. It will also provide an opportunity for Aiden’s family to seek justice and closure in the wake of the devastating loss.