By: Richard L. Smith
A Union County jury has convicted a Newark man in connection with a fatal shooting that took place in Elizabeth more than four years ago, according to information released by Union County Prosecutor William A. Daniel, Elizabeth Police Chief Giacomo Sacca, and Police Director Earl Graves.
On Friday, August 15, 2025, 28-year-old Jefferson Louis was found guilty of first-degree murder, second-degree unlawful possession of a weapon, and second-degree possession of a firearm for an unlawful purpose.
The verdict came after a four-week trial before Union County Superior Court Judge Anthony Parenti Jr., with jurors reaching their decision after one full day of deliberations.
Prosecutors Joseph Cho and Maura Janiszewski presented evidence showing that on August 4, 2021, Elizabeth police officers responded to Jefferson Park around 12:26 p.m. following reports of gunfire.
There, officers discovered 26-year-old Archeley Brizard of Elizabeth inside a vehicle, suffering from multiple gunshot wounds.
He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Following an investigation, Louis was arrested in Newark by U.S. Marshals on February 1, 2022. 
He now faces up to life in New Jersey State Prison, with sentencing scheduled for October 3, 2025, before Judge Parenti.