UPS Driver Fatally Shot While Taking Lunch Break In His Truck

By Bill Galluccio

May 17, 2024

An UPS delivery truck.
Photo: Marvin Samuel Tolentino Pineda / iStock Editorial / Getty Images

A California UPS driver was fatally shot while taking a break in his truck on Thursday (May 16) afternoon. The Irvine Police Department said that the driver was eating his lunch when the suspect pulled up alongside him in a silver pickup truck and opened fire.

Several hours later, officers located the suspect's truck and tried to arrest him. He barricaded himself inside his vehicle but was eventually removed after officers fired chemical agents and sent a police dog to get him.

"SWAT team was able to negotiate him out of the vehicle. He did not peacefully give up -- he was forced out of the vehicle by SWAT team -- he is alive," Sgt. Karie Davies with the Irvine Police Department told KTTV.

Authorities did not release the identity of the suspect.

Davies said that a motive for the attack has not been determined, but investigators believe the suspect specifically targeted the driver.

"We don't know what the relationship is between these two gentlemen, if any. This definitely seemed targeted, meaning it wasn't a robbery, didn't appear to be a robbery," Davies added.

UPS issued the following statement after the shooting:

"Our hearts are heavy tonight with the news of the loss of one of our drivers in Irvine, CA. We are assisting authorities however we can to understand what happened. As a result of the ongoing investigation to find those responsible, we are deferring any additional questions to authorities. The safety and well-being of our employees is our top priority, and we are providing support and counseling services to our employees affected by this tragedy."

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