Newark, N.J.- Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens II announced today that an Irvington man has been convicted in the fatal shooting of a man in 2023.
On July 8, 2026, after approximately one hour of deliberations, a jury convicted Emmanuel Edmundson, 46, of first-degree murder, second-degree unlawful possession of a handgun, and second-degree possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose.
Assistant Prosecutor Austin Edwards and Assistant Prosecutor William Chalmers tried the case before the Honorable Naazneen Khan.
The prosecution proved that on the night of September 29, 2023, Edmunson approached his friend, Enrique Riveros, 46, outside of 201 Columbia Avenue in Irvington. Following a brief argument over money, Edmundson pulled out a handgun and shot Riveros several times at close range before fleeing the scene. Riveros died of gunshot wounds to the head and the abdomen.
An eyewitness called 911 and assisted police officers in apprehending Edmundson a short distance from the scene. At trial, the defense offered the testimony of a psychologist who claimed the defendant was too intoxicated at the time of the shooting and suffered from a mental illness that rendered him unaware of his actions. The prosecution rebutted that testimony with a psychiatrist who testified that Edmundson acted knowingly and purposely during the homicide.
Following the verdict, Assistant Prosecutor Chalmers said, “With this verdict, the citizens of Essex County have condemned senseless violence and brought justice to the family of Mr. Riveros.”
Assistant Prosecutor Edwards added, “We want to recognize the outstanding work of the detectives assigned to Essex County Homicide Task Force and the responding officers with the Irvington Police Department, whose professionalism and dedication that made this result possible.”
Edmundson is scheduled for sentencing on September 14, 2026. He faces a possible sentence of 30 years to life in prison.
Anyone with information related to criminal activity is encouraged to contact the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office Tips Line at 1-877-TIPS-4EC or 1-877-847-7432. All calls will remain confidential.
EMMANUEL EDMUNDSON
