According to a newspaper report, a California woman testified in court that the suspect in her son’s fatal shooting smiled at her before shooting, in what authorities believe was a road rage encounter back in 2021, reports PEOPLE. 

According to The San Bernardino Sun, Joanna Cloonan, Aiden Leos’ mother, testified in the trial of Marcus Anthony Eriz, who is facing charges of second-degree murder and other offenses.

Patrol Officer Florentino Olivera stated during a news conference that back in the May 2021 shooting, Aiden was in the backseat of the vehicle as his mother drove. Eriz’s girlfriend, Wynn Lee, was the driver, and Eriz was in the passenger seat, as reported by CBS News and The Sun. 

During an interview with Good Morning America, Cloonan mentioned that shortly after the shooting, Lee’s car abruptly changed lanes in front of her. In court, Cloonan discussed the encounter, claiming that Lee gestured a

“peace”

sign at her after cutting her off.

According to the Sun, Cloonan testified that she attempted to distance herself from the couple while driving and expressed her frustration by making a gesture and putting up her middle finger.

“[Eriz] looked at me and smiled, after the gesture.. I tried to get away as much as I could.” 

According to the outlet, the distraught mother then heard a loud noise and her son say “Ow!” from behind her. She then witnessed that his

“head was hanging down.” 

Officials claimed Eriz confessed to firing at the vehicle and later

“pleaded not guilty to charges of murder and shooting at a vehicle.”

Lee is facing multiple charges including “possession of a firearm in a vehicle.”

#Clique, what are your thoughts?