Metro Atlanta
Metro Atlanta

Arrest made in home invasion death of Atlantan who jumped from balcony

The man lived in a third floor apartment at the Skylofts on Oak Street.
By Kimberly James
Jan 14, 2016

Atlanta police on Thursday announced the arrest of a 20-year-old suspect in an apartment break-in last month that left an occupant dead after he jumped 30 feet from a balcony to escape intruders.

U.S. marshals arrested Lilche Stafford in Denver, police said. The Atlanta-area suspect is charged with one count of felony murder and burglary in the death of Jose Greer on Dec. 8.

Police said Greer, 51, jumped to his death from his West End apartment balcony at 898 Oak Street after three men kicked his door. He had called 911 to report that men were kicking in his door just before he went over his balcony railing and landed on the concrete below, Maj. Adam Lee said at the time. “He jumped in fear of his safety,” Lee added.

Greer suffered multiple fractures and died during surgery six hours later at Grady Memorial Hospital.

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