CHEROKEE COUNTY, Ga. (TCN) — A man has been found guilty of murder for fatally shooting his wife’s ex-fiancé, 31-year-old Eduardo Gilberto Figueroa, during supervised visitation in 2021.
After a two-week jury trial with 25 witnesses, 37-year-old Nicholas Michael Mimms was found guilty of felony murder, aggravated assault, and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, WAGA reports. According to Atlanta News First, he was found not guilty of malice murder.
Mimms’ wife and Figueroa shared a child together, according to Atlanta News First. Figueroa had recently established parental rights, and Mimms was going to supervise his first court-ordered visitation time with the child on Aug. 7, 2021. Mimms and Figueora had reportedly never met each other.
Mimms was armed and waiting outside the home for Figueroa in a bulletproof vest. When Figueroa showed up, he had a stuffed animal to give the child. Mimms then fatally shot Figueroa.
When police arrived, they found Figueroa face-down on the deck dead from multiple gunshot wounds. Mimms claimed he had shot in self-defense after being threatened by Figueroa. Figueroa was not armed, according to Atlanta News First. The mother and child were not home during the shooting.
Law & Crime reports Figueroa was a veteran of the U.S. Army and was studying computer science and engineering with the goal of becoming a video game developer. In his obituary, his mother wrote, “His laughter was contagious, and he was funny, smart, and a great friend. I will miss everything about him — our calls, the I love you’s, and everything in between.”
A sentencing date for Mimms has not yet been set.
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