A simmering custody dispute culminated in a fatal confrontation on a quiet street, ending the life of a young father who was eagerly anticipating a court-sanctioned visit with his child. Eduardo Gilberto Figueroa, a 31-year-old male, was shot multiple times on August 7, 2021, at a residence in Acworth, Georgia. The man responsible for his death was Nicholas Michael Mimms, the new husband of Figueroa's ex-fiancée.
The tragic chain of events was set in motion after Figueroa had
successfully established his parental rights and was granted his first scheduled visit with his child. The court had designated Mimms to be the supervisor for this initial meeting. On the day of the visit, Figueroa arrived at the designated house on Mohawk Trail, reportedly bringing a stuffed animal for his child. However, instead of a parental visit, a deadly encounter awaited him.
Evidence presented at trial would later paint a grim picture of the moments leading up to the shooting. Mimms, who had never met Figueroa before, was waiting for him, armed and wearing a bulletproof vest. He would later claim to law enforcement that he acted in self-defense, alleging that Figueroa was dangerous and had threatened him. However, investigators found that Figueroa was unarmed at the time of his death. The child and the mother were not present when the shooting occurred. When Cherokee County Sheriff's deputies arrived at the scene, they discovered Figueroa lying face down on a deck, having succumbed to multiple gunshot wounds.
The subsequent investigation led to the arrest of Nicholas Michael Mimms. He was charged with the murder of Eduardo Gilberto Figueroa. The case proceeded to a jury trial that lasted approximately three weeks and included testimony from 25 witnesses. After about eight hours of deliberation, the jury found Mimms guilty of felony murder, aggravated assault, and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony. He was, however, found not guilty of malice murder. A sentencing hearing was scheduled to be held at a later date.
