71-year-old shot to death while taking photos from lookout, California officials say

A duo accused of killing a 71-year-old photographer now face prison time, California officials said.

In July 2017, a photographer went to the Twin Peaks viewpoint to take photos of the city with his new camera, according to a Sept. 20 news release from the San Francisco District Attorney.

That’s when Lamonte Mims, 27, and Fantasy Decuir, 27, approached the man, identified as Edward French, and robbed him at gunpoint, prosecutors said.

Surveillance footage captured Mims and Decuir during the alleged crime, officials said.

Mims pulled French’s camera bag from him before Decuir is accused of shooting him through the heart and lung, officials said.

When he was on the ground, Mims grabbed the bag and kicked him, prosecutors said.

Then, Mims and Decuir left, officials said.

An hour after the killing, they tried to sell French’s camera, officials said.

They were arrested after officials said they worked together to rob a pair of tourists.

“The victim was ripped from the lives of his friends and family by this callous killing over a camera,” Assistant District Attorney Aaron Laycook said in the release. “We are profoundly grateful for the jury’s thoughtful and deliberate consideration of the evidence in this case, and we hope their verdict brings some sense of justice and closure to the loved ones of the victim.”

Mims was convicted of murder, officials said.

Decuir was convicted of murder and intentional use of a firearm causing death and robbery, officials said.

“Pretty emotional for me. We’ve been fighting seven years and finally justice, it should never take this long,” French’s sister, Lorrie French, told ABC7.

Mims and Decuir are set to reappear in court on Dec. 6 for sentencing, officials said.

This story was originally published September 23, 2024 at 12:17 PM with the headline "71-year-old shot to death while taking photos from lookout, California officials say."