Prosecutors say the suspect who shot and killed a UPS driver in broad daylight in Southern California was a childhood friend and co-worker of the victim.
The Orange County District Attorney’s Office announced on May 16 that Lianne Jalipa Fontanoza, 46, is accused of shooting Expedito de Leon, 50, 10 times “within a matter of seconds” on May 16 while he was seated in his seatbelt in a delivery truck.
“When Fontanoza pulled up next to De Leon’s delivery truck and opened fire, he still had the UPS scanner in his hand and was wearing his seatbelt.” [at] “They struck him 14 times in 19 seconds,” prosecutors said.
Authorities said Fontanosa fired 14 shots, 10 of which hit De Leon.
USPS mail carrier shot to death while on duty, police offering $250,000 reward for information
Liane Jalipa Fontanoza (bottom), 46, allegedly shot and killed her co-worker and childhood friend Expedito de Leon (top), 50, last week while the victim was inside a UPS truck. Ru. (KTTV; Irvine Police Department)
Fontanoza, a UPS employee on disability leave, was charged with special charges of shooting from inside a vehicle and ambush murder.
He is said to have gone to great lengths to trace de Leon’s delivery route on the day of the murder. He said he stopped another UPS driver around 12:30 that day and asked if he was taking the same delivery route that De Leon had taken.
The driver said de Leon was taking a different route and prompted Fontanoza to go to a UPS substation in Aliso Viejo, where he accessed a computer showing the driver’s route and took photos on his cell phone. It is said that he was seen taking pictures.
“Shortly before 3 p.m., Fontanoza allegedly followed de Leon on his route and passed him in a new car that de Leon did not recognize. “Leon left the truck to make the delivery, returned to the truck and fastened his seatbelt,” prosecutors said.
California mail carrier fights back after being punched unexpectedly, video shows
A UPS driver was shot and killed in Irvine, California, on Thursday in what police believe was a targeted attack. (FOX 11 LA Live Stream/Screenshot)
Prosecutors said Fontanoza fled the scene after the killing but was found by authorities in a car later that afternoon, where he refused to leave until tear gas and police dogs were deployed.
Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer said De Leon was “just going about his day, completely unaware that his longtime friend was stalking him with the intention of killing him.”
“The depravity of planning and carrying out the execution of someone with whom you have shared lifelong memories is beyond anyone’s comprehension,” he added. “Life shouldn’t have ended like this and it’s a tragedy that should never have happened.”
The gunman accused of killing a UPS driver in Irvine, Calif., barricaded himself inside his truck Thursday before police forced him out and arrested him. (FOX 11 LA Live Stream/Screenshot)
At the time of the killing, Fontanoza was scheduled to return to work June 1 from disability leave.
Investigators have not yet determined a motive for the attack. Fontanoza is being held in the Orange County Jail without bail. Prosecutors said Fontanoza deserves the death penalty.
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In a statement to Fox News Digital, UPS said it was “shocked and saddened by the recent developments in Irvine, California. These are extremely unusual circumstances and do not represent our company culture or the camaraderie among our employees around the world.”
“Our current focus is on supporting our employees and their loved ones during this extremely difficult time. As the investigation is ongoing, we will defer further questions to law enforcement.” Stated.
