Prosecutors allege the suspect waited for the victim along his delivery route before firing more than a dozen shots.
IRVINE, CA — A 39-year-old man faces murder charges after authorities say he ambushed and shot a UPS delivery driver 14 times during a workday afternoon in a quiet Irvine neighborhood. The victim and the suspect were reportedly friends since childhood.
The shooting of 50-year-old Jose de Jesus Godinez-Zaragoza has shocked the local community and raised questions about the motive behind the attack. Rhett Berkeley Nelson was arrested shortly after the incident and now faces a felony murder charge with a sentencing enhancement for the personal use of a firearm. Prosecutors described the act as a calculated execution, noting that the suspect allegedly tracked the victim’s delivery truck before opening fire in broad daylight.
The incident began at approximately 3:00 p.m. on a Thursday when neighbors reported hearing a rapid succession of gunshots near the intersection of Chrysler and Marine Way. Witnesses told responding officers they saw a silver sedan speeding away from the scene where the UPS truck had come to a halt. Officers found Godinez-Zaragoza slumped in the driver’s seat of his brown delivery vehicle, suffering from multiple gunshot wounds to his upper body. Despite the immediate arrival of emergency medical technicians, the father of two was pronounced dead at the scene. Investigators spent the evening canvassing the area for doorbell camera footage, which eventually helped them identify the vehicle involved in the getaway.
Irvine Police Department officials stated that the suspect and the victim had a long-standing personal relationship, though they have not yet disclosed a specific dispute that led to the violence. “This was not a random act of workplace violence or a robbery gone wrong,” said Irvine Police Sergeant Karie Davies. Investigators recovered 14 shell casings from the pavement surrounding the truck, indicating the shooter fired at close range. Forensic teams spent several hours documenting the trajectory of the bullets, many of which shattered the driver-side window. The UPS package car remained cordoned off by yellow crime tape late into the night as federal and local authorities coordinated the processing of the evidence found inside the cabin.
Godinez-Zaragoza was a veteran employee of UPS, having worked for the company for over 20 years. Colleagues described him as a dedicated worker who was well-known to the residents on his route. The company released a statement expressing heartbreak over the loss of a “highly respected member of the UPS family” and confirmed they are cooperating with the ongoing police investigation. Public records show the victim had no history of significant legal trouble and was a resident of nearby Santa Ana. Neighbors in the area where the shooting occurred noted that the route is typically considered very safe, and the sudden violence has left many delivery drivers in the region concerned about their safety while working in residential zones.
Rhett Berkeley Nelson was apprehended by a specialized apprehension team a few miles from the shooting site without further incident. He is currently being held at the Orange County Jail on $2 million bail. During his initial court appearance, he did not enter a plea, and the judge scheduled a formal arraignment for later this month. If convicted on all charges, including the special allegations of lying in wait, Nelson could face a maximum sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole. Defense attorneys have requested additional time to review the evidence, including the digital trail and GPS data that police say proves the suspect was following the delivery route for several miles before the first shot was fired.
The scene at the UPS facility in Aliso Viejo was somber the morning following the shooting, with many drivers pausing for a moment of silence before beginning their shifts. Mourners have created a small memorial near the site of the shooting, leaving flowers, candles, and UPS-themed ribbons. Family members of Godinez-Zaragoza described him as a “loving provider” who was looking forward to his upcoming retirement. They have asked for privacy as they coordinate funeral arrangements. Police continue to interview mutual acquaintances of both men to determine if there were any warning signs or threats made in the days leading up to the encounter.
The Orange County District Attorney’s office is expected to release more details regarding the motive following the completion of the ballistics report. A preliminary hearing is set for next Tuesday at the Central Justice Center in Santa Ana.
Author note: Last updated March 8, 2026.