A UPS driver in California was tragically killed during his delivery route in what prosecutors describe as a brutal ambush by his childhood friend and coworker.
“He still had his UPS scanner in his hand and his seatbelt buckled when Fontanoza drove up next to De Leon’s delivery truck and shot [at] him 14 times in 19 seconds,” officials stated.
Ten of the shots connected with De Leon, resulting in his death.
Around 12:30 p.m., the suspect allegedly approached another UPS driver and inquired whether their route belonged to De Leon.
After learning that De Leon was on a different route, Fontanoza reportedly went to the UPS substation in Aliso Viejo, where he accessed the computer route system and took photos using his cell phone.
“Just before 3 p.m., Fontanoza is accused of tracking De Leon down on his route and driving past him in a new vehicle which De Leon wouldn’t recognize,” the DA’s office said.
Fontanoza allegedly waited for De Leon to return to his truck after delivering a package before opening fire.
The alleged killer was scheduled to return from leave on June 1, but he is now being held without bail in the Orange County Jail on special circumstance murder charges.
“Mr. De Leon was just going about his day, doing his job with no idea his longtime friend was stalking him with every intent to kill him,” DA Todd Spitzer said in a statement. “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 fathom. No life should have to end like this, and it is a tragedy that should have never happened.”
No motive has been determined for the attack.
UPS expressed being “shocked and saddened” by the news in a statement to Fox News.
“Our focus now is on supporting our people and their loved ones during this extremely difficult time. Since the investigation is ongoing, we defer any additional questions to the investigating authorities,” the company added.
