On May 16, a UPS driver named Expedito De Leon was shot and killed in an ambush killing in Southern California. It was revealed that the suspect, Rhean Jalipa Fontanoza, was a childhood friend and coworker of De Leon. Fontanoza allegedly fired 14 shots at De Leon, hitting him 10 times as he sat seat belted in his delivery truck. Authorities stated that Fontanoza had gone to great lengths to track down De Leon’s delivery route on the day of the killing, even accessing a computer at a UPS substation to find his location.
Fontanoza, who was a UPS employee on disability leave, is charged with a special circumstances allegation of shooting from a vehicle and murder by lying in wait. He reportedly drove past De Leon in a new vehicle that he wouldn’t recognize before the attack. After the shooting, Fontanoza fled the scene but was later found by authorities in his vehicle. He refused to exit the car until tear gas and a police K-9 were deployed. Investigators have not determined a motive for the attack, and Fontanoza is being held in the Orange County Jail with no bail and is eligible for the death penalty.
Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer expressed shock and sadness over the incident, stating that De Leon was going about his day with no idea that his longtime friend was planning to kill him. Spitzer described the depravity involved in plotting and carrying out such a plan as unimaginable. He emphasized that no life should end in such a tragic way, and the killing was a senseless tragedy that should have never happened. UPS also released a statement expressing shock and sadness over the incident, stating that the actions of Fontanoza do not represent the culture of the company and the camaraderie among its employees.
The details of the incident revealed that Fontanoza had carefully planned the attack on De Leon, going as far as accessing a computer at a UPS substation to track down his location on the day of the killing. He then drove past De Leon in a new vehicle before shooting him multiple times as he sat seat belted in his delivery truck. Following the murder, Fontanoza fled the scene but was eventually apprehended by authorities. The motive for the attack remains unknown, and Fontanoza is currently being held without bail and is eligible for the death penalty.
The shocking nature of the crime, with a childhood friend and coworker turning on De Leon in such a violent way, has left investigators and prosecutors struggling to understand the motive behind the attack. Fontanoza’s actions in stalking and shooting De Leon have been described as unimaginable and tragic by the district attorney, highlighting the senseless nature of the killing. UPS has expressed its support for its employees and their loved ones during this difficult time, emphasizing that the incident does not reflect the company’s values. Investigations into the incident are ongoing, and authorities continue to seek answers regarding the motive behind the attack.
