A letter of condolence hangs near the entry to Horaney's Feed Store on May 31, 2016, a day after co-owner Ron Horaney was shot to death at his home just outside Longview. (Michael Cavazos/Longview News-Journal File Photo)

Authorities on Tuesday sought to quell rumors that a Longview businessman’s death was a random act of violence, while his friends and family remembered him as a loving father and husband.

Ron Horaney, 54, who co-owned Horaney’s Feed Store in downtown Longview and a second location in Marshall with his mother, Betty, died of multiple gunshot wounds late Monday after being taken to Longview Regional Medical Center.

He was pronounced dead by Gregg County Justice of Peace James Mathis about 8:40 p.m.

“My son was a very loving father, a husband who loved his family very much,” Betty Horaney said through tears when reached Tuesday by phone. “He was a very loving man.”

She said her family had not been able to go into his house on Tryon Road just outside the city limits because it was still an active crime scene. Horaney said they are waiting for answers.

“We don’t know why it happened,” she said.

The Gregg County Sheriff’s Office and Texas Department of Public Safety were investigating the shooting Tuesday and had blocked off part of Tryon Road that morning.

Sheriff’s office spokesman Josh Tubb said no information on possible suspects was being released at this time.

Tubb did, however, seek to dismiss speculation on social media and elsewhere in the community that Horaney was shot to death by a stranger who came to his house.

“We have nothing that would indicate the members of our community are in any heightened danger,” he said.

Horaney’s Feed Store is one of Longview’s oldest, continuously operated businesses. It was founded by Harry Horaney in 1940 at 207 N. Court St. and later relocated in 1993 to its current spot at 301 W. Methvin St. A second location in Marshall opened in early 2014.

Customers at the Longview store stopped by Tuesday to sign a condolence book for Horaney’s family.

Eddie Patton, who was at Horaney’s on Tuesday, said he knew Ron Horaney since elementary school and was sorry to hear of his death. He said he never dreamed something like that could happen.

“He was a very good guy,” Patton said. “I’ve never known anybody to have any problems with him his whole life.”

Longview Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Kelly Hall praised Horaney’s involvement in the community and his dedication to his customers.

“Ron exemplified the principles his grandfather, Harry Horaney, exemplified: Take care of your customers, and they will take care of you,” she said in a statement. “Ron will be missed by many. Our heart goes out to the family.”

Gregg County Judge Bill Stoudt said Horaney’s death was “a very sad day for Longview.”

Yellow roses and a note describing Ron Horaney as a wonderful man in business, community, family and faith were left Tuesday outside the main door at Horaney’s in Longview

“R.I.P. Ronny,” the note read.