A UPS driver, Expedito Cuesta De Leon, 50, was killed in a targeted attack in Irvine, California. He was reportedly shot 14 times by Rhean Jalipa Fontanoza, a childhood friend and fellow employee.
De Leon was on his delivery route on May 16, 2024, when the attack happened. The Orange County District Attorney’s Office indicated that Fontanoza, 46, lay in wait for De Leon at the intersection of Chrysler and Bendix in the Irvine Industrial Complex. At around 3 p.m., Fontanoza purportedly drove up next to De Leon’s UPS truck in a silver Honda Ridgeline that De Leon did not recognize and fired 14 shots within 19 seconds.
Security camera footage captured the event, showing Fontanoza driving off shortly after the shooting. De Leon, still strapped in his seat and clutching his UPS scanner, was pronounced dead at the scene.
Fontanoza, who was on disability leave from UPS until June 1, allegedly used his work credentials to gain access to the company’s computer system. He reportedly went to the UPS substation in Aliso Viejo, California, where he took pictures of the drivers’ routes, allowing him to track De Leon’s movements on the day of the killing. “Mr. De Leon was simply performing his job, unaware that his longtime friend was stalking him with the intent to kill,” said Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer.
Following the attack, Fontanoza fled but was apprehended by law enforcement later that evening. Police located him in his silver pickup truck in Orange, California, around 6 p.m. A brief standoff ensued, involving SWAT officers and a K-9 unit. Fontanoza was taken into custody after the use of tear gas.
Fontanoza now faces charges of murder with special circumstances, including lying in wait and committing a drive-by shooting. He also faces an additional sentencing enhancement for using a firearm to cause death. If found guilty, he could potentially face the death penalty.
The motive for the killing remains uncertain. However, the District Attorney’s office underscored the calculated nature of the crime. “The depravity involved to plot and carry out a plan to execute someone you shared a lifetime of memories with is not something any of us can wrap our heads around,” Spitzer stated.
UPS issued a statement expressing their grief over the incident: “We are shocked and saddened by the latest developments in Irvine, CA. This situation is extremely uncommon and does not reflect our company’s culture or the camaraderie among our employees globally. Our priority is to support our staff and their families during this challenging period.”
A public viewing for De Leon has been arranged, providing an opportunity for friends and family to pay their respects.