A Georgia husband shot dead his ex-wife's lawyer just hours after their divorce was finalized, before turning the gun on himself.

Walter Samuel Radford, 33, never turned up for the final divorce hearing on Wednesday morning. Nor did he hire a lawyer or even respond to his wife's divorce petition.

Instead, just two hours after the divorce was finalized at 12.04pm, he arrived at the Cartersville offices of his ex-wife's divorce lawyer, Antonio B. Mari, and opened fire. Mari, a respected local lawyer and former teacher, was hit multiple times and was pronounced dead at the scene, police said.

Radford fled the scene in a late model Ford pickup truck. He then called his former wife Cindy to tell her what he'd done, Lt. M.E. Bettikofer of the Cartersville police, told AJC.

About 20 minutes later, and less than 10 miles away, residents on Willow Bend Drive, Cartersville, reported hearing a gun shot. Police say he'd broken into his ex-wife's house, which was empty at the time, and shot himself.

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, at around 3pm, they forced entry into the home and found Radford, a father of two young girls, dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, AJC reports.

Earlier on Wednesday, Bartow County Superior Court heard the divorce petition from Radford's wife Cindy, who was being represented by Mari.

Authorities confirmed Cindy was not at her lawyer's offices at the time of the shooting.

The bodies of Mari and Radford are being sent to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation crime lab for autopsy.

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

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.

Fellow Cartersville attorney Lester Tate said security was a concern for small firms, like Mari's, and that many attorneys carried guns but that may not have been able to stop the surprise attack.

He added that Mari was the antithesis of the ruthless, hotshot lawyer.

'He's just one of the nicest, most easy-going people you could imagine,' Tate said.

Bartow County Schools released a statement paying tribute to Mari and his family.

'Inspirational, favorite teacher, Georgia Bulldog fan; that's how Antonio Mari's former students at Cass High School describe him. He started as a Colonel in 2000, teaching History. Highly credentialed, Mr. Mari also taught Advanced Placement European History.

'He wrapped up his teaching career with the Bartow County School System in 2011 to pursue a law degree and open a private practice. We share the community's grief and extend our deepest sympathies to the Mari Family, as well as the BCSS Family.

Police surrounded the offices of Antonio B. Mari after reports the lawyer had been shot by Radford

Investigators at the scene of the shooting in Georgia on Wednesday

The bodies of Mari and Radford are being sent to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation crime lab for autopsy

Mari was shot at his office (pictured) on Wednesday afternoon. He died at the scene

Twenty minutes later, Radford was found dead at his wife's home (pictured) from a self-inflicted gunshot wound

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.'

Claudette Lawong Chatman said Mari was her divorce lawyer and 'was so kind to me.'

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

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.

He specialized in family law, divorces, DUI cases and bankruptcies.