Lawrenceville, Georgia – A Lawrenceville man, Bernie Ray Mack, was convicted on Friday for the shooting and killing of family members in a 2022 dispute that turned deadly. The incident took place in the Harbor Bay neighborhood in Lawrenceville, according to the Gwinnett County District Attorney’s Office.
Following a confrontation that culminated in a shootout, Mack, 63, was found guilty by a Gwinnett County jury of malice murder, voluntary manslaughter, two counts of felony murder, two counts of aggravated assault, and two counts of gun possession during the commission of a felony. The victims of the tragic incident were identified as Bridget Pearl Brooks-Mack and Jeremy Roshawn Santos.
The violent episode unfolded on May 5, 2022, when Gwinnett County Police responded to reports of an active shooter at the intersection of Harbor Bay Drive and Chandler Road. The dispute stemmed from previous days, involving Mack, his wife Brooks-Mack, Mack’s stepdaughter Briana Santos, and her husband Jeremy Santos. Mack shot his spouse at their residence, leading to the fatal encounter.
As Briana and Jeremy Santos arrived at the scene, they discovered Briana’s mother deceased inside the house. While contacting authorities and driving away with their children, the couple encountered Mack returning to the neighborhood in his vehicle. Jeremy Santos, armed with a handgun, opened fire at Mack’s car, setting off a tragic chain of events.
Mack pursued the Santos vehicle, prompting Jeremy Santos to flee on foot as shots were exchanged. Witnesses observed Mack relentlessly shooting Jeremy Santos multiple times as he attempted to escape. Ultimately, a neighbor intervened, persuading Mack to halt his assault. Law enforcement arrived, arresting Mack at the scene.
In light of the heinous crime, Mack received a life sentence in prison without the possibility of parole, along with an additional 30 years behind bars. The tragic incident serves as a stark reminder of the devastation that can unfold from domestic disputes escalating to lethal violence.