CHP Receiving Tips After Releasing Photo Of Vehicle Suspected In Fatal Shooting Of 6-Year-Old Aiden Leos
SANTA ANA (CBSLA) — California Highway Patrol Thursday released the photo of the vehicle suspected in last week's fatal shooting of 6-year-old Aiden Leos on the 55 Freeway in Orange.
Authorities hope the photo will allow them to track down the person responsible for the child's death, though CHP said it did not have a license plate number.
On Friday, the agency said it has been receiving tips and was actively investigating.
"If you know of a neighbor that has this very unusual vehicle, that might be a clue," said Florentino Olivera of CHP.
The vehicle is described as a white Volkswagen Golf SportWagen. Authorities said two suspects were in the vehicle when one shot at the vehicle Aiden was in.
Meanwhile, the reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction in the incident grew to $320,000 Friday, a day after Orange County's top prosecutor gave the two unidentified suspects a stern warning to turn themselves in and investigators released a photo of the vehicle used in last Friday's attack.
Orange County Supervisor Don Wagner put up a $50,000 match to Aiden Leos' family's crowdfunded $50,000 and "it snowballed from there," he said Thursday. "This community is coming together to see justice done."
Supervisor Katrina Foley contributed $50,000 from her office's discretionary budget, as well. The Board of Supervisors approved the $100,000 in contributions on Tuesday, and the Costa Mesa City Council is expected to add to the reward when it meets next week.
"Now, as we understand it, there are two of you," Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer said in a Thursday news conference. "A woman driving a car and a male in the front seat. As we understand it, the male pulled the trigger. We will catch you."
Investigators said that after the shooting, the car continued northbound on the 55 Freeway and then eastbound on the 91 Freeway toward Riverside.
As for the memorial over the freeway, it continued to grow just as the reward to catch Aiden's killer.
"We'll never stop and never rest until we put the person into custody and get justice," Spitzer said.
A now $325,000 reward is being offered for information that leads to prosecution and conviction. Anyone with information is asked to contact CHP. Tips can be emailed to SantaAnaCHPtipline@chp.ca.gov.