Goldsboro, N.C. — The death of an 82-year-old Goldsboro man found in his home has been ruled a homicide, the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office said Friday.

Friends found the body of Ralph Exum Jones in the kitchen of his home, at 496 Slick Road, Wednesday night, after he never answered their calls.

Authorities said he had been shot and that they are not sure when he died, but they declined to comment on a possible suspect or motive.

"There's no reason for us to think this was a random killing. There's no sign of a struggle, or anything, in the house," Maj. Tom Effler with the sheriff's office said.

Neighbors said Jones lived alone.

According to his obituary, he was a retired, self-employed truck driver who had four children, eight grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild.

"A lot of people that knew him said that he was a tender-hearted person," Effler said. "He would try to help someone out if their luck was bad."

Investigators want anyone who might have information about Jones' death to call the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office at 919-731-1481 or Wayne County Crime Stoppers at 919-735-2255.