Youth Slain After Reporting Gunfire; Neighbor Held : Feud: A boy house-sitting for Antelope Valley family was allegedly killed by man shooting at their cars.

A feuding neighbor was arrested Saturday in connection with the death of a 14-year-old boy in the Antelope Valley who was shot in the head minutes after he reported to authorities that he had heard gunfire and went outside because he recognized the alleged gunman.

Deputies arrested Patrice Bucknor, 25, who was being held without bail in the fatal shooting of Paul Alsup in the remote town Llano, which is east of Palmdale.

Sheriff’s deputies said Bucknor has been engaged in a longstanding feud with one of his neighbors and was shooting at their cars while they were out of town Friday.

The deputies said that Paul, who lived nearby, had been caring for the family’s dogs and cats and immediately went to check on the animals when he heard gunfire about 6 p.m. He phoned authorities after hearing a second round of shooting, and sheriff’s deputies told him to stay inside his neighbor’s home.

But the teen-ager looked outside, recognized Bucknor and “felt comfortable enough” to go out, said Deputy Angie McLaughlin. “The suspect turned on him,” McLaughlin said, shooting the teen-ager in the back of the head as he tried to flee.

While deputies were on their way to investigate the scene, a motorist called to report that Paul was lying in the driveway.

Deputies took Bucknor into custody at his home about 11:30 a.m. Saturday, and he is being held at the Antelope Valley sheriff’s station, McLaughlin said.