Essex County Man Found Guilty For 2021 Elizabeth Fatal Shooting

Saturday, August 23, 2025, 7:15 A.M. ET. 2 Minute Read, By Art Fletcher: Englebrook Independent News,

ELIZABETH, NJ.- Last Friday, following a trial in Union County Superior Court, a 28-year-old Newark, New Jersey, man was convicted on charges for fatally gunning down a 26-year-old man in August of 2021, in the City of Elizabeth, New Jersey.

     According to Union County Prosecutor William A. Daniel, on Friday, August 15, 2025, following a four-week trial before Superior Court Judge Anthony Parenti, Jr., a jury found Jefferson Louis, 28, of Newark, New Jersey, guilty of first-degree Murder; second-degree Unlawful Possession; and second-degree Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose.

Louis Schedules Sentencing For October 3, 2025

     Following the jury returning their findings of guilt, Judge Parenti accepted the verdict and scheduled sentencing for October 3, 2025. At that time, Louis faces a mandatory minimum of 30 years and up to life, “75 years” in New Jersey State Prison.

     According to Union County Assistant Prosecutors Joseph Cho and Maura Janiszewski, on August 4, 2021, shortly before 12:30 p.m., members of the Elizabeth Police Department responded to reports of gunfire at Jefferson Park in the City of Elizabeth. Upon arrival, Police Officers located Archeley Brizard, 26, of Elizabeth, New Jersey, inside his vehicle, having succumbed to multiple gunshot wounds.

     During the ensuing investigation, Detectives of the Union County Prosecutor’s Office and the Elizabeth Police Department were able to develop information that led to Louis being identified as the suspect and the individual responsible for the shooting death of Mr. Brizard. Louis was taken into custody in Newark, New Jersey, by members of the U.S. Marshals Service on February 1, 2022.