A man who killed his wife and son-in-law in a 2022 shooting in Gwinnett County was sentenced to prison Friday, authorities said.
Bernie Ray Mack, 63, was found guilty of three counts of murder, voluntary manslaughter, two counts of aggravated assault and two counts of possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony. He was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole, plus 30 years, Gwinnett District Attorney’s Office spokesman Marcus Garner said.
The May 5, 2022, fatal shooting was the result of a dispute from several days earlier between Mack, his wife Bridget Brooks-Mack, his stepdaughter Briana Santos and his son-in-law Jeremy Santos, officials confirmed.
“The defendant will spend the rest of his life in prison for his thoughtless actions when he killed two people,” District Attorney Patsy Austin-Gatson said “We hope that this verdict will send a message in our community that violence is never an acceptable end to a dispute.”
According to Garner, Mack shot his spouse at their home in the quiet Saint Martins Cove subdivision near Lawrenceville. He then fled the area.
Briana and Jeremy Santos drove there after Brooks-Mack did not arrive at their house as they were expecting, police said at the time. The two found Brooks-Mack fatally shot.
As they drove away from the home while calling 911 with their children in the car, Garner said they passed Mack returning to the neighborhood in his vehicle. Jeremy Santos, who had a handgun, then fired at Mack’s car, Garner said.
Mack turned his car around and began to chase the Santos vehicle, and at some point Jeremy Santos got out and ran, authorities said.
Mack also got out and began to chase Jeremy Santos. During the chase, officials said Mack was shooting at Santos and he was returning fire.
“Witnesses saw Mack shoot Jeremy Santos at least six times, as Briana Santos drove away,” Garner confirmed.
Santos was found dead near the entrance of the subdivision.
A neighbor who witnessed the shootout was able to convince Mack to stop and drop his weapon. He remained at the scene and was later detained.
The jury deliberated Friday for about 3½ hours 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,” Austin-Gatson said.
