A Georgia husband shot dead his wife’s divorce lawyer before turning the gun on himself.
Walter Samuel Radford, 33, walked into the Cartersville offices of his wife’s divorce lawyer, Antonio B. Mari, on Wednesday afternoon, and opened fire. The attorney died at the scene.
He fled the scene and about 20 minutes later, and less than 10 miles away, residents on Willow Bend Drive, Cartersville, reported hearing a gun shot.
Walter Samuel Radford, 33, (left) shot dead his wife’s divorce lawyer, Antonio B. Mari, (right) at his Georgia offices on Wednesday afternoon
When police arrived, they found Radford, a father of two young girls, had taken his own life, AJC reports.
Police have not released any details on what led to the fatal shooting. But authorities confirmed Radford’s wife Cindy was not at her lawyer’s offices at the time of the shooting.
Meanwhile, people have been paying tribute to Mari – a prominent local lawyer and former teacher.
His heartbroken wife Stephanie shared a touching photo of herself and her husband in the hours after his death.
Mari was the divorce lawyer for Radford’s wife Cindy, who was separating from her husband
Authorities confirmed Cindy (pictured with Radford and one of their daughters) was not at her lawyer’s offices at the time of the shooting
Cass High School also shared a statement on Facebook, writing: ‘The Cass Family’s deepest sympathies go out to the Mari Family! Mr. Antonio Mari was a great friend, teacher, mentor, and lawyer. He will truly be missed.’
Many others shared their memories of Mari, who they remembered as an inspirational teacher, and a kind and patient lawyer.
Kacy Robertson wrote: ‘Truly one of the greatest teachers of all time. I’m completely heartbroken and devastated. Praying for his family!’
‘Mr. Mari inspired me to become an educator myself,’ Alexis Tucker added. ‘He was the sweetest and he worked very hard to capture the interest of his students when they found the subject uninteresting. My deepest condolences to his family.’
Mari was shot at his office (pictured) on Wednesday afternoon. He died at the scene
His heartbroken wife Stephanie shared this touching photo of herself and her husband in the hours after his death
Tributes have been pouring in for Mari, an animal lover, who will be remembered as an inspirational teacher, and a kind and patient lawyer
Claudette Lawong Chatman said Mari was her divorce lawyer and ‘was so kind to me.’
Anita Colletta added: ‘Mr. Mari will be missed. He was a wonderful person and I am just heartbroken. He was to represent me next week in my divorce.
‘As a person he was a very kind and very much respected. My prayers and my heart go out to his family!’
Mari, 41, of Acworth, graduated from the University of Georgia and taught social studies for ten years. He had a law firm in Cartersville and opened a location in Cobb County in 2012.