HomeMy WebLinkAbout18 - NB-1 - Council Direction on 50,000 Monetary Rew - 6/1/2021
CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
MEETING DATE: JUNE 1, 2021 ITEM NUMBER: NB-1
SUBJECT: COUNCIL DIRECTION ON $50,000 MONETARY REWARD IN SEARCH OF AIDEN
LEOS’ MURDER SUSPECT
DATE: JUNE 1, 2021
FROM: CITY MANAGER’S OFFICE
PRESENTATION BY: ALEXANDER GONZALEZ, CHIEF OF STAFF
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: ALEX GONZALEZ , CHIEF OF STAFF
(714) 754-5192
RECOMMENDATION:
City Council authorization is requested to fund a monetary reward in the amount of
$50,000 for information leading to the identity and apprehension of the person(s)
responsible for the 55 Freeway shooting and death of six-year old Aiden Leos of Costa
Mesa in a road rage incident on May 21, 2021.
BACKGROUND:
City Council Policy 400-1 (Attachment 1) authorizes the City Council to approve the
offering and posting of a monetary reward soliciting information from the public leading
to the arrest and conviction of any person whose willful misconduct results in injury or
death to any person or who willfully damages or destroys any property.
On Friday, May 21, 2021, six-year old Aiden Leos, a Costa Mesa resident, was being
driven to school by his mother while traveling on California State Route 55. According
to the California Highway Patrol, Aiden Leos was the victim of a fatal shooting when the
passenger of another vehicle opened fire between 7:55 a.m. and 8:15 a.m, in an
apparent road rage incident.
On that same day, a crowdfunding page was created for the family of Aiden Leos to
help post a reward to search for the suspect(s) which started at $50,000. Since that
time, the reward has increased to over $300,000 with donations from businesses,
members of the community and a $100,000 offering approved by the Orange County
Board of Supervisors on May 25, 2021.
The City of Costa Mesa is committed to the safety and well-being of its residents and
families. While monetary rewards are normally given in relation to investigations being
conducted or spearheaded by the Costa Mesa Police Department, an exception to this
practice can be made given the severity of this case and the relationship of the family to
the City of Costa Mesa.
By providing this reward, the City hopes this will serve as a deterrent to others engaging
in similar acts of violence and that those responsible for this crime will be brought to
justice. The City encourages the public to submit any information that will lead to the
identity and apprehension of the person(s) responsible for the death of six-year old
Aiden Leos.
Members of the public are encouraged to submit information about this crime to
the California Highway Patrol, Santa Ana office at (714) 567-6000. The California
Highway Patrol agency is the lead agency in charge of this investigation.
FISCAL REVIEW:
City Council may direct staff to identify a funding source in the current budget for FY 2020-
21 for the monetary reward in the amount of $50,000. Staff believes this expense can be
absorbed in the current year budget from available vacancy savings in the City Manager’s
Department.
LEGAL REVIEW:
The City Attorney’s Office has reviewed this report and has approved it as to form.
CONCLUSION:
Staff recommends that the City Council:
Pursuant to City Council Policy 400-1 (Attachment 1), consider a one-time $50,000 reward
for information leading to the identity and apprehension of the person(s) responsible for
the death of six-year old Aiden Leos.
________________________________ ________________________________
ALEXANDER C. GONZALEZ KIMBERLY HALL BARLOW
Chief of Staff City Attorney
_______________________________ _______________________________
CAROL MOLINA LORI ANN FARRELL HARRISON
Finance Director City Manager
Attachment 1: Council Policy 400-1, “Reward Policy.”
Attachment 1