Lexington Co. man guilty in fatal bar shooting after changing appearance, fleeing to NJ

A man who investigators believe shot a man at a bar then changed his appearance and fled to another state was convicted and will face prison time, according to officials.

A jury found Gregory L. Brooks, 23, guilty of murder and possession of a weapon during the commission of a violent crime in a Lexington County court Monday, according to a news release from the 11th Circuit Solicitor’s Office.

Judge Eugene Griffith sentenced Brooks to 35 years incarceration, the release stated.

On Feb. 2, Brandon Ratliff was fatally shot at the Cockpit Bar and Grill, 214 Berryhill Road.

Ratliff was reportedly trying to mediate a dispute that involved Brooks and others in the parking lot of the bar.

Multiple witnesses told deputies Brooks then fired 10 shots in the area, one of which struck Ratliff in the upper torso and proved fatal, the release stated.

Brooks cut his hair and changed his appearance and his phone number then had his girlfriend to lie about his location at the time of the crime, according to the release. She was also arrested and charged for her role.

He then fled to New Jersey.

Deputies were able to find him and arrest him in April of 2014, according to previous reports.