Filmmaker Killed, John Upton [VIDEO]: Documentary Director Shot in Shrubbery Dispute With Neighbor, Rescued Orphaned Romanian Children

56-year-old documentary filmmaker and director John Upton Jr. was found shot dead on a dirt path on the yard of his Encinitas, California, home on Thursday. His neighbor, 61-year-old Michael Vilkin, was arrested and charged on suspicion of first-degree murder. Vilkin is being held without bail until his pending arraignment on Tuesday. Upton's death came as a result of a dispute over trimming the shrubbery at his home.

John Upton was known for publicizing the plight of Romanian orphans in the early 1990s, then becoming instrumental in rescuing these children and bringing an estimated two dozen of them to America for adoption and medical care.

"There just wasn't any doubt in my mind that I could do something, that I could make a difference with these kids," Upton told The Times in 1990. "But I didn't waste much time thinking about it, I just went. I went in there with the attitude of the angry American. Someone who was going to right the wrongs he found. I expected heartless officials and corruption. But that's not what I found at all. I found people who wanted to act but were handicapped by a lack of resources."

His work in Romania garener a lot of influential activists' attention and even such people as billionaire Richard Branson and actress Jessica Lange to help with rescuing the orphans of Romania. Upton also went on to create an online network of films focused on charitable works and causes.

From a jail cell, Michael Vilkin told KGTV in San Diego that he acted in self-defense when he shot the acclaimed director. Apparently, Vilkin owns a vacant lot next to Upton's home and the two were arguing over trimming shrubs.

"I did not go to him," Vilkin told the station. "He came to me threatening and pulled a gun (on) me."

Upton's brother, Michael Upton said that his brother and his neighbor previously argued about trees on a separate occasion.

"My brother was shot 30 feet from his front door by a guy with a concealed weapon. He was a good brother, a good father, a good humanitarian."