John Charles Upton Jr., a 56-year-old filmmaker known for humanitarian work with Romanian orphans, was shot to death on March 28, 2013, in Encinitas, California. He was found on a dirt path in his yard, having been shot multiple times. The killing arose from a long-standing property dispute with neighbor Michael Vilkin over trimming shrubbery and trees along their shared border.

On the day of the shooting Vilkin, then 61, was reportedly trimming the shrubbery when an altercation occurred and Upton was shot. Vilkin was arrested and charged with murder; he claimed self-defense, saying Upton threatened him and he feared for his life. Upton’s family disputed that account, alleging Vilkin wrapped a gun in a jacket and baited Upton into a confrontation before shooting him in the head. The case drew heavy attention because of Upton’s humanitarian work and his documentary filmmaking.

The prosecution portrayed the shooting as deliberate and the defense argued self-defense; the trial examined prior disputes and threats between the neighbors. If anyone knew John Upton Jr. or has information about the dispute with his neighbor, please come forward.