Grief counselors are on hand at Genesis HealthCare's Voorhees center after a 62-year-old man shot his mother and them himself at the Evesham Road facility Sunday night.
VOORHEES TOWNSHIP - Employees at a South Jersey assisted-living facility were "shocked and saddened" by the killing of an 85-year-old woman by her son in a murder-suicide Sunday evening.
"We are fully cooperating with law enforcement officials at this time and are hopeful that their efforts will help us to understand this tragedy," Genesis HealthCare's Voorhees Center spokeswoman Jeanne Moore said in a statement. "This is a challenging and emotional time for all of us."
George Buller III, 62, of Lumberton Township, shot his mother Andree Buller in a family room at the facility about 5:45 p.m., according to the Camden County Prosecutor's Office. George Buller then shot and killed himself, authorities said.
Buller and his mother ate dinner together at a cafeteria in the facility Sunday night before the shooting, 6ABC.com has reported. He then walked to his car before returning to the facility. According to the Prosecutor's Office, Buller and his mother were alone in the family room when he shot her. A staff member heard the first shot and arrived at the room as George Buller turned the gun on himself.
Autopsy results released Monday stated George Buller's manner of death was suicide caused by a gunshot wound, and his mother's a homicide also caused by a gunshot wound.
Moore said that grief counselors are on site all-day Monday to meet with patients, residents or staff members. No one else was injured in the shootings.
Employees helped evacuate residents immediately following the shooting while police investigated.
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An Genesis HealthCare employee described Andree Buller as "the sweetest lady" who loved singing and socializing with other residents. The employee, who declined to be identified because she is not authorized to speak to the media, also said the son never showed any signs of abnormal activity and often visited his mother in the evenings for dinner.
The Genesis HealthCare facility serves as a short- and long-term rehabilitation site, and includes care for those with Alzheimer's and dementia.
"Voorhees Center is committed to being a safe environment for all our patients, residents and staff members," Moore said in the statement. "This is an isolated incident involving one family. We remain focused on providing quality care and services to all our patients and residents. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family during this difficult time."
Michelle Caffrey may be reached at mcaffrey@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @ShellyCaffrey. Find the South Jersey Times on Facebook.Clik here to view.
