GWINNETT COUNTY, Ga. — Nearly two years after a man was accused of killing his wife and stepdaughter's husband in a Gwinnett County shooting, he has learned his fate.
Gwinnett County District Attorney Patsy Austin-Gatson said a jury found 63-year-old Bernie Ray Mack guilty 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. A judge sentenced him to life in prison without the possibility of parole plus 30 years.
Bridget Pearl Brooks-Mack and her son-in-law, Jeremy Roshawn Santos, died from their injuries. The deadly encounter happened on May 5, 2022, on Harbor Bay Drive.
Gwinnett County Police said Brooks-Mack was found dead by her daughter and her daughter's husband, Santos. The DA's office mentioned how the investigation revealed that as the couple called police and drove away from the home, they passed Mack in their vehicle. That's when things took another tragic turn.
Officials said Santos fired a gun at Mack's car.
"Mack turned his car around to chase the Santos vehicle, and Jeremy Santos left the vehicle to flee on foot from Mack’s car. At the front of the neighborhood, Mack departed his car and chased Jeremy Santos while shooting, while Jeremy Santos returned fire as he fled," the DA's office news release said.
Santos died from the gunfire. Witnesses said they saw Mack shoot Santos multiple times.
The scene that night showed officers and police tape blocking off the area.
The DA's Office added that it was a neighbor who convinced Mack to stop and hand over his gun. He stayed at the scene until police arrived and arrested him.
The jury deliberated over the case for a few hours Friday before returning a guilty verdict.
“We offer condolences to the Santos and Brooks family and hope that this conviction brings some closure and level of healing,” said Austin-Gatson. “The defendant will spend the rest of his life in prison for his thoughtless actions when he killed two people. "
