On a Thursday evening in Lawrenceville, Georgia, what began as a domestic issue tragically escalated, leading to the death of 36-year-old Jeremy Roshawn Santos. The African American male lost his life on May 5, 2022, during a violent confrontation with his father-in-law. The tragic chain of events began when Jeremy Santos and his wife, Briana, grew concerned for her mother, Bridget Mack, who had not arrived at their home as planned.
The couple went to Bridget's residence on Harbor Bay Drive to check on her, a decision that would place them in the path of unexpected violence.
Upon entering the home, they made a horrifying discovery: Bridget Mack, 61, was deceased, having been shot. As they were leaving the scene to contact the police, with their children in the car, they encountered Briana's stepfather, 61-year-old Bernie Ray Mack, who was returning to the neighborhood in his vehicle. A confrontation ensued, leading to an exchange of gunfire between Jeremy Santos, who was armed, and Bernie Mack. Mack turned his vehicle around and pursued the Santos' car.
Jeremy Santos then got out of his vehicle and fled on foot, with Mack giving chase. While both men reportedly fired their weapons, witnesses saw Mack shoot Santos multiple times, even as Briana Santos drove away from the scene. When police arrived at the quiet subdivision just after 6 p.m., they found Jeremy Santos lying dead next to a car down the street from the initial crime scene. Bernie Mack remained at the location, where a neighbor convinced him to put down his weapon, and he was taken into custody by the authorities.
The investigation led to Bernie Mack being charged with numerous offenses, including two counts of felony murder, two counts of aggravated assault, and two counts of possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime for the deaths of his wife and son-in-law. In April 2024, a Gwinnett County jury found Bernie Mack guilty of malice murder, voluntary manslaughter, and other related charges. For his actions, he was sentenced to serve life in prison without the possibility of parole, plus an additional 30 years, bringing a legal conclusion to the tragic and violent episode that claimed two lives.
