Additional Coverage:
New information emerged on Tuesday regarding the tragic murder of a UPS driver in Orange County, uncovering that the victim was reportedly pursued and murdered by a former childhood friend.
The incident occurred on May 16, when 50-year-old Expedito Cuesta De Leon of Aliso Viejo was shot while seated in his delivery van around 3 p.m., after making a delivery. A masked assailant approached De Leon’s vehicle and fired 14 shots within 19 seconds, as disclosed by the Orange County District Attorney’s Office.
Irvine Police discovered De Leon with multiple gunshot wounds inside his van at the intersection of Chrysler and Bendix Streets in Irvine, where he was declared dead at the scene.
The perpetrator, identified as 46-year-old Rhean Jalipa Fontanoza, fled the scene swiftly but was apprehended an hour later following a standoff with a SWAT team.
Further investigations exposed that both the victim and the suspect were UPS employees and had known each other since childhood, also sharing the same neighborhood.
Earlier that day, Fontanoza had inquired another UPS driver about De Leon’s route. Upon learning De Leon had a different route, Fontanoza visited the UPS Aliso Viejo substation to photograph driver routes from a computer.
Fontanoza, who was on disability leave and due to return to work on June 1, later managed to locate De Leon. He made several passes by De Leon in an unrecognizable vehicle, waited for De Leon to complete a delivery, and then executed the shooting.
When Fontanoza was located by police on Santiago Canyon Road in Orange, he initially refused to surrender, prompting police to use tear gas and a K9 unit to apprehend him.
The exact motive and the specifics of their relationship remain unclear at this time.
Neighbors and loved ones remember De Leon as a warm-hearted individual and a devoted father. His ex-wife, Kimberly Sudan, highlighted his joy in his children’s achievements and his commitment to providing for his family, especially in terms of healthcare due to her Type 1 diabetes, after his service in the Army.
Fontanoza faces charges including murder with special circumstances, which could lead to the death penalty upon conviction.
Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer condemned the heinous act, emphasizing the betrayal involved in murdering a lifelong friend.
The community mourns the loss of De Leon, who leaves behind a wife and children, as investigations continue. Authorities are urging anyone with information to come forward.
For more updates, tune into KTLA.