In a shocking incident in Southern California, a UPS driver was ambushed and killed in broad daylight while on his delivery route by a childhood friend and coworker, Rhean Jalipa Fontanoza. Fontanoza allegedly shot Expedito De Leon multiple times as he sat seat-belted in his delivery truck, with 10 of the 14 shots fired hitting the victim. Fontanoza, who was on disability leave from UPS, has been charged with special circumstances allegations of shooting from a vehicle and murder by lying in wait. He reportedly went to great lengths to track down De Leon’s delivery route on the day of the killing.
The incident unfolded when Fontanoza drove up next to De Leon’s delivery truck in a new vehicle that De Leon wouldn’t recognize. Fontanoza then allegedly shot at him 14 times in 19 seconds as De Leon left his truck to make a delivery and returned to buckle his seatbelt. After the murder, Fontanoza fled the scene but was later found by authorities in his vehicle. He refused to surrender until tear gas and a police K-9 were deployed. Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer described the depravity of the crime, stating that De Leon had no idea his longtime friend was stalking him with the intent to kill.
The motive for the attack remains unclear, as investigators have not determined why Fontanoza carried out the ambush killing. At the time of the crime, Fontanoza was scheduled to return to work from disability leave, but now he is being held in Orange County Jail with no bail. He is eligible for the death penalty, according to prosecutors. UPS expressed shock and sadness over the incident, stating that it does not represent the culture of the company. The focus now is on supporting employees and their loved ones during this difficult time, and further questions about the incident are deferred to investigating authorities.
The tragic killing of De Leon by his childhood friend and coworker has left authorities puzzled as to the motive behind the attack. Fontanoza allegedly went to great lengths to track down De Leon’s delivery route before ambushing him in broad daylight. The heinous nature of the crime, with 10 bullets hitting the victim in a matter of seconds, has left the community in shock. Despite the lack of a clear motive, Fontanoza has been charged with special circumstances and faces the possibility of the death penalty.
Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer condemned the crime, stating that De Leon was innocently going about his day, unaware that his longtime friend was planning to kill him. The tragedy of a lifetime of memories ending in an execution-style killing is unfathomable to Spitzer and the community at large. The focus now is on supporting those affected by the tragedy, while also ensuring that justice is served. UPS has expressed their grief over the incident and emphasized that the actions of Fontanoza do not reflect the culture of the company.
As the investigation into the ambush killing continues, authorities are working to uncover any possible motives behind Fontanoza’s actions. Fontanoza, who was on disability leave at the time of the attack, now faces serious charges and the possibility of the death penalty. The shocking nature of the crime has left the community reeling, as they struggle to come to terms with the loss of De Leon. Despite the tragedy, efforts are being made to understand why Fontanoza would commit such a heinous act against a childhood friend and coworker.
