Suspects arrested in death of 6-year-old killed in California 'road rage' incident

Courtesy Cloonan Family

(LOS ANGELES) -- Two people have been arrested in connection to the shooting death of 6-year-old Aiden Leos, who was killed during an alleged road rage incident in California last month.

Marcus Anthony Eriz, 24, and Wynne Lee, 23, were arrested at their home Sunday in Costa Mesa, California, according to the California Highway Patrol. The suspects are boyfriend and girlfriend, sources told ABC News.

The pair are set to be arraigned on Tuesday morning, but Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer said his office is still reviewing the evidence before it can announce any specific charges.

The two are being held on $1 million bail at the Orange County Jail.

Weapon investigators said the gun allegedly used by suspects and the car they were driving in were recovered, according to the DA's office and police.

Aiden was shot and killed on May 21 as his mother, Joanna Cloonan, was driving him to school in Yorba Linda. She said a white sedan cut her off abruptly while she was in the carpool lane driving northbound on the 55 Freeway. Someone in the vehicle then opened fire on Cloonan's car, striking Aiden in the back seat.

"They took my son's life away," Cloonan told ABC News in an interview last month on "Good Morning America." "He was beautiful and he was kind and he was precious, and you killed him for no reason. And I want to find them and I want there to be justice to be served for my son."

“While these arrests will not ease the pain of a mother’s loss, my hope is for the Leos family to have some peace of mind and to rest assured the CHP will work with the Orange County District Attorney to bring justice for Aiden," CHP Commissioner Amanda Ray said in a statement Sunday.

Authorities said Cloonan and Aiden were in a silver Chevrolet Sonic when they were involved in a "road rage incident over a perceived unsafe lane change." That's when at least one round was fired from a Volkswagen into the back of Cloonan's car, killing Aiden.

"He meant the world to me, and it feels like my life is over," Cloonan said after the shooting. "That was my baby. I've never, never thought pain like this could exist."

Spitzer said the killing spoke to a lot of Californians who have experienced road rage.

"When Aiden was killed, and died shortly after being shot on the 55 freeway, and I was unequivocally clear with them. Turn yourself in. Turn yourself in," the DA said of the suspects. "And they didn't. And they didn't. And so now it's time for the system to do what it's designed to do. And that is hold people accountable."

A memorial for Aiden, according to ABC Los Angeles station KABC, was held Saturday.

A reward for helping find the person who fatally shot Aiden climbed to $500,000 in recent days.

ABC News' Meredith Deliso, Zohreen Shah and Alex Stone contributed to this report.

Monday, June 7, 2021 at 8:02PM by William Mansell and Ivan Pereira, ABC News Permalink