US Mom Makes Finger Gesture at Car That Cut Her Off... 6-Year-Old Child Dies in Retaliatory Shooting

Published 24 May.2021 08:09(KST)

Updated 24 May.2021 09:01(KST)

Aiden Reos who died in a retaliatory shooting. Photo by KTLA News broadcast screen capture

[Asia Economy Reporter Jumi Lee] A quarrel that started while driving escalated into a shooting, resulting in the death of a 6-year-old child who was in the car.

According to reports from CBS and KTLA News on the 23rd (local time), a shooting occurred around 8 a.m. on the 21st on California's Highway 55, where a 6-year-old boy who was riding in his mother's car on the way to school died.

The incident happened after the victim child Aiden Leos's mother, Ms. A, had a confrontation with the driver of a white sedan while driving.

At the time, Ms. A was changing lanes to exit the highway when the sedan suddenly cut in and braked abruptly. Angered, Ms. A changed lanes to catch up with the sedan and reportedly made an obscene gesture toward the driver.

Aiden Reos and family. Photo by KTLA News Broadcast Screen Capture

Subsequently, one of the occupants of the sedan fired a gun at Ms. A's car ahead. The bullet penetrated the vehicle and struck Leos, who was sitting in the back seat, in the back. Leos was taken to a nearby hospital but ultimately died. Ms. A was reported to be unharmed.

The sedan fled after the shooting. According to witnesses, the vehicle had one male and two female occupants. The police have launched a manhunt but have not yet found the suspects. They are seeking tips and black box footage from vehicles that passed by at the time.

Alexis Clunen, Leos's cousin, appealed in an interview with the media, "Please help find those who harmed my little brother." A fundraising campaign to honor Leos is also underway. As of 6 p.m. (Korean time) on the 23rd, $145,000 (approximately 163 million KRW) has been raised.