Bay Area Landlord Lured Tenant Out With Fire Before Execution-Style Killing: DA

SAN FRANCISCO, CA — A 68-year-old San Francisco landlord accused of killing his tenant in an execution-style shooting failed to completely cover his tracks after planning out the attack, leading to his arrest, prosecutors said.

A motive for the shooting was not disclosed. Prosecutors say Philippe Chagniot shot and killed 58-year-old Eric Bigone during the early hours of Sunday, May 17, in the city's Sunset District.

Chagniot, according to the San Francisco District Attorney's Office and police department, planned the killing, spray-painted nearby surveillance cameras in preparation and then set a fire outside Bigone's home to lure him out.

When Bigone stepped outside to put out the fire, Chagniot raised an automatic gun with a silencer attached and shot the 58-year-old in the back, San Francisco Police Department Chief Derrick Lew said in a press conference Thursday.

The 68-year-old then stood over Bigone and shot him again before running away from the scene, police said.

Despite Chagniot's efforts to distance himself as a suspect, officers found his bike at the crime scene and surveillance footage captured him spray-painting the cameras before the shooting, authorities said.

Officers tracked Chagniot's movements from his home to Bigone's and then back. The 68-year-old was taken into custody later that day near the crime scene, police said.

Chagniot has since been charged with murder, along with an allegation that he used a firearm in the commission of the murder, and a special circumstance allegation of lying in wait. He was also charged with assault with an automatic firearm, arson, possession of an automatic firearm, possession of a silencer, and possession of a high-capacity magazine.

"This was a heartbreaking incident for our Sunset community, and I know many neighbors have been deeply shaken by the violence," District 4 Supervisor Alan Wong said in a statement Thursday. "As someone who represents this neighborhood and hears directly from residents every day, it is deeply upsetting whenever a life is lost to violence in our community. Incidents like this leave a real emotional impact on neighbors, families, and the broader Sunset community."