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Left: Nicholas Michael Mimms (Cherokee County Sheriff”s Office). Right: Eduardo “Eddie” Gilberto Figueroa (Scott Huskins Funeral Home).
A Georgia jury has convicted a 37-year-old man after he fatally shot his wife’s former fiancé while overseeing a child visitation session, according to authorities.
Nicholas Michael Mimms was found guilty of felony murder, aggravated assault, and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony in connection with the death of 31-year-old Eduardo “Eddie” Gilberto Figueroa, as announced by the Cherokee County District Attorney’s Office. However, Mimms was acquitted of malice murder.
According to prosecutors, Figueroa and Mimms’ wife shared a child, and Figueroa had recently secured parental rights. Mimms, unfamiliar with Figueroa, was tasked with overseeing Figueroa’s first court-sanctioned visitation.
On the day of the incident, Figueroa arrived with a stuffed toy for his child, while Mimms was equipped with body armor and a firearm. Police responded to a call around noon on August 7, 2021, arriving at the residence on Mohawk Trail in the Acworth area of Cherokee County. They discovered Figueroa deceased on a deck outside the home, having suffered multiple gunshot wounds.
Mimms claimed he acted in self-defense, alleging that Figueroa was “dangerous” and had “threatened him,” according to the prosecutors. However, it was established that Figueroa was unarmed and did not pose any threat to Mimms. Prosecutors noted that Mimms had been “waiting outside of the home for Figueroa to arrive.”
The child and mother were not present for the shooting.
Jurors convicted Mimms after about eight hours of deliberation following the three-week trial.
According to his obituary, Figueroa was a U.S. Army veteran and was attending Kennesaw State University, where he was a student in the Computer Science and Engineering Department with hopes of becoming a video game developer.
“I felt fortunate to be the mother of such a kind, beautiful human being and amazing father,” 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 yet to be set.