MULLICA TOWNSHIP - Friends, family and neighbors are searching for answers while police search for a murderer after a township man died of two gunshot wounds to the chest Sunday, Feb. 5.

At about approximately 3 p.m., a household member discovered John Kingsbury, 77, in the Woodland Avenue residence they shared, according to Atlantic County Prosecutor Ted Housel.

The elder Kingsbury had only recently moved in with his son, Glenn Kingsbury, according to news reports.

Neighbors describe Woodland Avenue as a quiet street in the New Columbia section of the township. It lies within walking distance of a Methodist Church, the local fire hall and a convenient store.

Mullica Township police responded to the scene and Kingsbury was transported to the AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center Mainland Campus in Galloway where doctors pronounced him dead, according to Housel.

An autopsy conducted Monday morning determined the cause of death to be the two gunshot wounds to the chest, Housel said. His death is being investigated as a homicide.

No arrests have been made.

The Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit is leading the investigation. Anyone with information is asked to call the Major Crimes Unit at (609) 909-7666 or the Mullica police at (609) 561-7600.

Though the Woodland area is a quiet section of the township, it has received a seemingly unfair amount of tragedy in recent years.

A home located around the corner from the murder scene was destroyed by fire in July 2009. Fire also destroyed the Nesco Fire Department building in 2003. It’s also located around the corner from the murder scene.

Kingsbury’s funeral plans had not been announced as of Tuesday, Feb. 7.