A UPS driver in California was killed after his childhood friend and colleague shot him 14 times, the Orange County District Attorney’s office announced Tuesday, May 21.
Rhean Jalipa Fontanoza, 46, was on disability leave when he allegedly went to a UPS Aliso Viejo substation on Thursday, May 16, and accessed a computer to find out which route his friend, Expedito De Leon, 50, was working.
Fontanoza, who was scheduled to return to work on Saturday, June 1, reportedly went to the office after inquiring about De Leon’s route to another UPS driver earlier that day.
According to the district attorney’s office, Fontanoza found his location shortly before 3 p.m. while driving in a “new vehicle” that De Leon “wouldn’t recognize.”
Rhean Jalipa Fontanoza.
Irvine Police Department
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“De Leon then left his truck to make the delivery and returned to his truck, and buckled his seat belt. He still had his UPS scanner in hand and buckled his seat belt when Fontanoza pulled up next to De Leon’s delivery truck and shot [at] he hit him 14 times in 19 seconds,” states the state attorney’s statement, noting that he was hit 10 times.
The Irving Police Department responded to the scene and found De Leon “slumped in the driver’s seat of his delivery truck.”
“The police officers pulled him out of the vehicle and began life-saving measures. The driver suffered multiple gunshot wounds and died from his injuries,” the police department announced.
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Stock image of a UPS delivery truck.
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While Fontanoza drove away from the scene after the shooting, he was located later that day and arrested after a police K9 and tear gas were placed in his vehicle.
Fontanoza, who is now charged with aggravated murder, is currently being held without bail and is eligible for the death penalty if convicted.
“MR. De Leon was just going about his day, doing his job without any idea that his longtime friend was stalking him with every intention of killing him,” Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer said in a press release.
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Image of crime scene tape.
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“The depravity involved in planning and carrying out a plan to execute someone you’ve shared memories with all your life is not something any of us can wrap our heads around. No life should end like this and it’s a tragedy that should never have happened “, the press release added.
UPS responded to the incident in a statement to USA Todaysharing that “these are very unusual circumstances and do not represent our company culture and the camaraderie among our employees around the world.”
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“We are now focused on supporting our people and their loved ones during this extremely difficult time,” the statement added.
PEOPLE has reached out to UPS for comment.
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