Shooter Geddy Kramer, victim Chris Sparkman

Father's statement: "We're dealing with a lot here right now," said Scott Kramer, standing at the front door of his Acworth home. "We're dealing with our own loss and wishing the best to everyone who was affected."

Police said earlier Tuesday that they believed they knew the motive for the shootings but they declined to elaborate.

A neighbor described the Kramers as a pleasant family and said Geddy often walked the family dogs or mowed the Kramers’ yard. Scott Kramer is involved in the homeowners association, the woman said, adding:  “My heart just sunk to my toes. I love those people.”

The victim

Christopher Sparkman

Age: 28

Lives in: Acworth

High school: North Cobb High

Occupation: Security guard, Fedex

Sparkman has been married for about a year, having courted his future wife from Kuwait, where he was serving in the Army as an air traffic controller.

He was born and grew up in Thomasville, moving to Acworth when he was 14. He and Geddy Kramer attended the same high school.

“Prayers for my family, please. Prayers,” Sparkman’s sister-in-law, Jenna Lee Brannen, wrote on her Facebook page Tuesday.

The five other shooting victims have not yet been identified. Chris Sparkman was the most gravely wounded. Two were treated and released, Sparkman and one other remain in critical condition, and two victims were admitted and are said to be stable, according to a hospital briefing Tuesday afternoon.