The incident occurred shortly before 6 p.m. at the 295 Smoak Road residence of the victim, 43-year-old Scott Payne, who is Mark Hoffman Sr.’s son-in-law and Mark Hoffman Jr.’s brother-in-law.
According to Spalding County Sheriff Dee Stewart, deputies were dispatched to the scene in reference to a person having been shot.
Upon their arrival, Payne was located with a single gunshot wound.
“Because of a family issue, both of the Hoffmans had gone to Mr. Payne’s residence,” said Capt. Tony Ranieri, of the Spalding County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigation Division. “They were angry about the family issue and took weapons to the victim’s residence.”
Authorities say both Hoffmans confronted Payne and a verbal dispute ensued.
“They (the Hoffmans) both displayed their weapons and that escalated the argument to a physical fight between Mr. Hoffman Sr. and Mr. Payne,” Ranieri said. “Mr. Hoffman Sr. fired his weapon at Mr. Payne, but missed him. Mr. Hoffman Jr. then fired his weapon at Mr. Payne, striking him once in the stomach area.”
Due to the severity of his injuries, Payne was subsequently flown to Grady Memorial Hospital in Atlanta, where he remained in the Intensive Care Unit.
“As of this afternoon (Thursday), we were advised by the hospital that he (Payne) is still in critical condition, but he is still clinging to life,” Ranieri said. “The hospital did say there was a slight improvement in his vital signs over night.”
Ranieri said first-responding deputies called investigators to the scene, and after a reconstruction of the crime scene and suspect interviews were conducted, Mark Hoffman Sr. and Mark Hoffman Jr. were arrested and charged with aggravated assault. However, Stewart said additional charges may be forthcoming.
Both suspects remained in custody in the Spalding County Jail.
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