ATLANTA — The brother of a man who died trying to escape a home invasion says it still feels like a dream.
Ernest Greer’s brother, Jose Greer, had just gotten home from work and was eating a piece of fruit at the table when he heard someone trying to kick down his door.
The 51-year-old Comcast sales executive quickly ran to the balcony of his third-floor condo at the Skylofts on Oak Street.
As three men broke down the door, Jose Greer jumped from the balcony, about 30-feet of the ground, critically injuring himself.
Atlanta attorney Ernest Greer says his brother was transported to Grady Memorial Hospital where he died hours later.
“It’s horrible, it’s horrible. It’s devastating to us as a family,” Ernest Greer said.
He says his brother’s condition was initially promising, but took a bad turn. He was suffering from a broken pelvis and many other broken bones. He died in surgery and Ernest says he never got a chance to speak with his older brother.
“When I discovered that, it was surreal. It was almost like a dream, it wasn’t happening,” Ernest Greer said.
Greer told Channel 2’s Tom Regan that his brother, a divorced father, led a quiet life, serving the community, including the 100 Black Men of Atlanta organization.
Surveillance video captured images of three men entering the building, and leaving minutes after Jose Greer made a 911 call.
A resident allegedly let one in assuming he lived there.
Ernest Greer believes the home invaders intended to break into another unit.
“I think it was a mistake; that these guys broke into the wrong place,” he said.
Police say the crew ransacked the condo as if they were looking for something special, but ended up leaving with little.
Ernest Greer says his brother was an eternal optimist, caring and compassionate to everyone he met. He says his older brother was a personal inspiration.
“(He took) me from being an average person, and made me better than I ever thought I could be,” Ernest Greer said about his brother.
He says he is grateful to the staff at Grady Memorial Hospital for their valiant effort to save his brother’s life.
A memorial service will be held at Murray Brothers Funeral Home on Sunday from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.
If you recognize the suspects in the surveillance video, call CrimeStoppers at 404-577-8477. There is a $35,000 reward.