A person of interest was detained after a man was found dead with a gunshot wound to the head Thursday morning, according to Lt. Clayton Lisk, of the San Diego Sheriff's Department.This is believed to be Encinitas' first murder of 2013 and the first since September's vehicular fratricide.
The death in the 2900 block of Lone Jack Road was reported at 9:06 a.m., he said.
UPDATE: A dispute between neighbors?
It happened around 9 a.m. in the 2900 block of Lone Jack Rd., Reportedly it may have been a confrontation between two neighbors.The Channel 6 web site photo focuses on homes at 2926 and 2916 Lone Jack.
The victim, who reportedly suffered a gunshot to the head, died at the scene. His name was not immediately available.
As of late morning, deputies had several people in custody for questioning, Lt. Mike Munsey said. It was unclear if the detainees were considered suspects or witnesses, according to Munsey.
UPDATE: According to Fox 5, the man's body was found here on the dirt path between 2926 and 2916, and the man was wearing a jogging suit.
UPDATE: Domestic dispute?
UPDATE: The U-T reports that a "family spiritual adviser" said that the victim had saved thousands of Romanian children. That sounds like filmmaker John Upton, who lives about a quarter mile a way and could have been using the path on a morning run.
UPDATE: Michael Vilkin arrested:
Deputies questioned then arrested Michael Vilkin, 61, of Encinitas, on suspicion of murder, officials said.Vilkin went through city planning in 2009 and 2012 for demolition and redevelopment of a house at 2920 Lone Jack that had been damaged by a hillslide.
A weapon was also recovered.
“We believe he’s involved, but we are not exactly sure what the dispute was and the nature of the dispute that led to this,” Bolwerk said. He added that there were no outstanding suspects.
Vilkin owns a vacant lot near where the shooting occurred, according to property records. Authorities said it was unknown if the victim and Vilkin knew each other prior to the encounter.
Officials and the dead tree media are still not naming the victim. If it is John Upton, here is more about his significant charitable accomplishments.
UPDATE 3/29: U-T confirms, it's John Upton.
Upton’s brother, Michael, said there appeared to have been an ongoing dispute between the men — possibly involving trees.In this undated biography from the social media site Helium, Vilkin describes himself as a founder and college administrator at the unwieldily named and apparently defunct "www.business-school-online.us."
“I can’t imagine why somebody would want to shoot my brother in the head,” Michael Upton, of Clairemont, said Thursday evening as he drove to the site of the slaying.
“He was a good man. He saved a lot of kids,” the brother said of John’s enormous rescue effort of Romanian orphans. “Here’s a guy who went into a communist country and basically didn’t allow himself to get bullied by the government and corrupt people over there. And he took these kids who were crippled from birth defects from trying to be aborted, and brought them back to the United States to get medical care and get adopted.
“My brother was a fearless crusader.”
The slaying was a double-blow for the family. Upton’s mother died just hours earlier Thursday of natural causes.
Excellent work staying on top of the story with updates, links, & additional details W.C.! Great reporting -- much appreciated.
ReplyDeleteI heard it was KLCC for revenge for not supporting their no change at all cost.
ReplyDeleteFrom comparing the bing map of the path to the city of encinitas zoning map it looks like trees have been taken out. Also from the photograph from the news where the body was found it looks like they were in the middle of cutting down trees along with the ladder. I wonder since it stats on old city documents that Vilkin owns the path/vacant land he either was upset about the trees being cut or if Upton was really the one upset if Vilkin was cutting them instead.(should be interesting what will be said). I just think its also sad that Uptons mother passed away hours before his death and his neices child had her one year anniversry of being diagnosed with MDS. Just cant believe how someone can shoot a neighbor over stupid trees. not worth taking a life.
ReplyDeleteUpton was a renter. In the police photo that is published: Vilkin owns the lot above. The lot is not pictured. Multiple houses share the drive. Vilkin's lot is a the top. Vilkin has been trimming the shrubs on the drive. I assume to be able to get vehicle access to the lot. I don't know why. You can also access the lot on Jackie. I believe this was an ongoing dispute. I don't know details.
ReplyDeleteThis is horrible situation and I give my sympathy to those family members affected.
Two words: gun control.
ReplyDeleteUsing two hands?
DeleteNice try. Your boy harry Reid won't even bring it to a vote. I would love to see it voted on. Put the southern dems in record and watch the NRA control the midterms
DeleteYeah-let's have gun control to rid our country of violence. Mexico has done that and you sure can't argue the success down there.
DeleteGun control? Hoew about your phoney agenda control instead!
ReplyDeleteif you think your guns are going to protect you from the government you better think again. and you might want to learn what they have locked up in Fort Detrick.
ReplyDeleteGuns in my hands are better than guns
ReplyDeleteWhy did Jim Kidd go into hiding? Why isn't he calling out Lisa and Tony? What a hypocrite! I plan to cancel my on-line subscription.
ReplyDeleteWe need to RECALL them all. What is wrong with you complainers, put up or shut up.
ReplyDeleteIthe victim.was.a gun control.supporter
ReplyDeleteThe victim was found on his own property. The shooter claims that the victim walked not charged but walked towards him in a prison video interview. The shooters workers can affirm that the victim was actually being helpful so that they could remove debris. Ask around the neighborhood and neighbors will tell you shooter was not well liked victim was. Police and paramedics found only a cell phone on victims body. shooter is trying to play frail old man protecting himself against younger victim but they are only 4.5 years apart in age. there was no tampering or removal of a gun belonging to victim because shooter actually guarded body and kept people away at gunpoint. neighbors can tell you shooter was unpleasant argumentative person. victim was well liked and friendly to all.
ReplyDeleteIt has been leaked that the shot to the head was in the back of the head which means it upton was actually walking away from the shooter
ReplyDeleteCan't say a shot to the back of the head proves the victim was walking away, but it sure undercuts any "self defense" claim. Also, if the shot occurred at close range while the victim was lying on the ground, as also has been leaked, then Vilkin is toast. Add to those yet to be officially confirmed facts, that it is now confirmed that the victim was unarmed, and Vilkin is not to be believed. He now appears to be a lying, cold hearted murderer who should never see the light of day again.
DeleteWhat is the status of this? it was a year ago today, on a Thursday morning in Olivenhain, that sirens filled the streets of Lone Jack Road, a resident lost his life, and the facts were that a "neighbor" shot and killed the victim. That man has sat in a jail ever since, but he has never been convicted and sent off to state prison to live out his days. His "self defense" claim has never been placed under the spotlight of cross examination. Can you report on the status of the case or when the trial will occur? I am sure many in the area would like to see the cockroach get what the system decides he deserves.
ReplyDelete