A simmering dispute that had been brewing for days violently erupted in a quiet Lawrenceville, Georgia, subdivision, leaving 61-year-old Bridget Pearl Brooks-Mack dead from a gunshot wound. The deadly encounter unfolded on May 5, 2022, inside her Harbor Bay Drive home, the result of a domestic conflict with her husband.
The tragedy was discovered by Bridget's daughter, Briana Santos, and her son-in-law, Jeremy Roshawn Santos. They had become concerned when Bridget failed to arrive at their house as planned and went to check on her, only to find her deceased inside the residence. As the couple, with their children in the car, were leaving the neighborhood and calling the police, they crossed paths with Bridget's husband, 63-year-old Bernie Ray Mack, who was returning to the area. This encounter led to a second tragic confrontation.
An exchange of gunfire erupted between Jeremy Santos and Bernie Mack. Santos, who was armed, fired at Mack's vehicle. Mack then pursued the Santos' vehicle, and Jeremy Santos got out to flee on foot. The chase continued on foot, with both men firing their weapons. Witnesses reported seeing Mack shoot Jeremy Santos multiple times. Jeremy Santos, 36, was fatally wounded in the shootout.
Following the shootings, a neighbor intervened and convinced Bernie Mack to surrender his weapon. He remained at the scene and was arrested by Gwinnett County Police. In April 2024, a jury found 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. He was subsequently sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole, plus an additional 30 years.
