Hat may lead Atlanta police to 3 suspects tied to man’s fatal jump

Atlanta police say this hat is the same as the one worn by one of the home invaders who caused a man to leap to his death this week. (Credit: Atlanta Police)

Atlanta police say this hat is the same as the one worn by one of the home invaders who caused a man to leap to his death this week. (Credit: Atlanta Police)

The family of a man who jumped to his death during a home invasion believes the criminals targeted the wrong apartment.

‘I think it was a mistake, that these guys broke into the wrong place,” Ernest Greer told Channel 2 Action News.

His brother, Jose Greer, a 51-year-old executive sales manager at Comcast, led a quiet life until three young men kicked in the door of his third-story apartment on Oak Street Tuesday, Greer said. Jose Greer jumped off his balcony and landed on the concrete 30 feet below, according to police. He suffered multiple fractures and died during surgery about six hours later, police said.

Meanwhile police are hoping a distinctive hat — along with a video of the alleged criminals and a $25,000 reward — will help solve the case.

Police say the hat was the same as the one worn by one of the suspects at the Oak Street apartment where Greer jumped off his balcony.

The video showed the men leaving the apartment building minutes after Greer made a 911 call. So far, police are only certain that the men stole a container of coins, prompting Maj. Adam Lee to note that a petty theft had ended in a fatality.

Ernest Greer said he thought initially that Greer had a good chance of surviving the fall, but he died during surgery at Grady Memorial Hospital.

A memorial service will take place at Murray Brothers Funeral home at 3 p.m. Sunday, Channel 2 reported.