The two suspects in the road rage killing of 6-year-old Aiden Leos have been charged by the OC DA Tuesday.
The suspected gunman, Marcus Eriz, is charged with murder, while Wynne Lee is charged as accessory after the fact. She's also facing a misdemeanor count of having a concealed gun in a vehicle.
During a press conference, OC DA Todd Spitzer said the punishment for the crime is life in prison for Eriz. He also said he is charging Lee with accessory after the fact and said the arraignment will be after lunch.
Spitzer said the bail for Eriz is set at $1 million bail but will seek to increase to $2 million bail. For Lee, her bail will be reduced to $500,000 bail from $1 million.
Spitzer has said he will not be lenient, as the two suspects failed to turn themselves in.
Marcus Anthony Eriz, 24, and Wynne Lee, 23, were arrested at their home in Costa Mesa. They are scheduled to be arraigned later Tuesday.
The gun was allegedly hidden at the shooter's workplace, and the suspected car, a white Volkswagon, was allegedly at his grandmother's house in Whittier.
"God bless Aiden, God bless that little boy and may he rest in peace."
That's what Spitzer said Monday during a press conference after a California Highway Patrol official said the CHP was pleased to report two suspects have been arrested in connection with the killing of six-year-old Aiden Leos and will be appropriately charged.
They have recovered what they believe to be the weapon and the car used in the crime, according to CHP.
Charges will be filed later today or Tuesday against the man and woman arrested in connection with the shooting death of Leos on the 55 Freeway.
"We are reviewing the evidence and we are looking at every single legal theory in conjunction with that evidence and we will be making filing decisions with respect to both individuals either later today but certainly with the deadline tomorrow," Spitzer said adding he wants to thank the community.
The car was found at a different location and the gun was found at a different location, according to officials.
They are expected to be charged with murder, according to CHP officials.
The California Highway Patrol announced the arrest of two suspects in the death of 6-year-old Aiden Leos on Sunday night.
Spitzer said they're in the process of evaluating the evidence.
"I will be limited in the information I can share today," according to a CHP official today.
Spitzer said he listened to and watched the memorial service on Saturday of this little boy and "....I know the question that's been going through everybody's minds is "Why is there so much community support and outpouring?"
"I really think the reason we were able to crack the case was because of the excellent, excellent work of the California Highway Patrol...amazing if you think of what they have accomplished," Spitzer said.
"It's because it could have happened to any one of us," he said everyone drives on SoCal highways but it's never come to a situation of violence and a "loss of a life."
"We are all literally torn up about it," he said.
He said Tuesday the two individuals will be arraigned in the OC Superior Court.
Spitzer recalled the memorial service on Saturday for the boy where his family, including his mother, spoke. Spitzer also recalled how he had called for the suspects to turn themselves in - and they didn't.
“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,” said CHP Commissioner Amanda Ray.
Leos was sitting in his car seat in the back seat of his mother’s car when he was shot in an apparent road rage incident on the 55-freeway in Orange.
Leos was transported to the Children's Hospital of Orange County, but the young boy ultimately died.
There was an outpouring of grief from the local community following Leos’ death. A makeshift memorial near the site of the shooting emerged, and the reward for information leading to the arrest of the person who shot and killed Leos grew to $200,000.
The grieving mother, Joanna Cloonan, appealed to anyone with information to come forward following the May shooting. Over $350,000 has been pledged toward two GoFundMe campaigns to help the young victim's family.
Both suspects were being held in an Orange County jail in lieu of $1 million bail each, according to the OC Register.
CHP Border Division Chief Omar Watson thanked the local community for its “indescribable outpouring of concern and hundreds of tips.”
“The department has been in regular contact with the victim’s family and I assure you they, like us, are committed to seeing justice served,” said Watson.
Second District Supervisor Katrina Foley, who represents Costa Mesa, echoed Watson's statement, praising the local community for its interest in the case.
The Orange County business community's contributions to a reward, "helped encourage continued attention and focus on this case, leading directly to today's arrest. This is a reminder of the power of a community that supports each other and works together," according to a statement by Foley on Sunday.