Aliso Viejo, California – A shocking incident unfolded last week in Aliso Viejo when Rhean Jalipa Fontanoza, a UPS employee on disability leave, allegedly carried out a brutal attack on his childhood friend and colleague, Expedito De Leon. The 46-year-old Fontanoza reportedly shot De Leon 14 times as he sat in his delivery truck, resulting in a tragic and targeted ambush murder that has left the community in shock.
Fontanoza has been charged with the heinous crime by the Orange County district attorney’s office, although they have not yet determined a motive behind the senseless killing. Authorities revealed that Fontanoza had stopped another UPS driver to inquire about De Leon’s route, later visiting the UPS substation to gather information before carrying out the attack.
The disturbing incident took place on a Thursday afternoon when Fontanoza, driving a different vehicle, located De Leon on his delivery route and proceeded to open fire on him multiple times. Witnesses reported that De Leon was shot after returning to his truck and buckling his seatbelt, unaware of the danger lurking nearby.
After the attack, Fontanoza fled the scene but was eventually apprehended on Santiago Canyon Road in Orange. Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer expressed disbelief at the calculated nature of the crime, emphasizing the gravity of plotting to execute someone who was once a close friend.
De Leon’s tragic death while simply going about his work has left a deep sense of sorrow in the community, as authorities work to unravel the events leading up to the fatal encounter. Fontanoza, who was due to return from leave on June 1, is currently being held without bail as the investigation into this shocking crime continues.