Family left without answers in deadly home invasion

ATHENS, Ga. — Holding back tears, the daughter of a man shot five times in his own home tries to cope with the violent crime that took her father's life.

Now, neighbors in one Athens community told Channel 2's Sophia Choi they are making some changes after a the deadly home invasion.

"Maybe to the intruders, his life didn't mean anything. But it meant everything to us," said Troy Davidson, whose father, Edward Davidson, 76, was fatally shot during a robbery Monday night.

Edward Davidson was a father of 10, a grandfather and a great -grandfather.

"That's what I can't understand; how people could be so evil? How are you human beings?" daughter Cynthia Davidson asked.

Investigators said two men tried to break into Edward Davidson's home on Jefferson River Road in Athens.

Damage to the door can still be seen where the men tried to kick it in.

Davidson's wife survived by hiding in a bathroom while calling 911.

Neighbors believe Davidson was targeted because the garage door was open with no car inside and the lights off.

"So they figured it's an empty house, and they tried to break in," neighbor Ed Saye said.

But police believe the robbers targeted him because of his age.

"The fact that they are elderly, and sometimes they are picked on more so than younger people," Capt. Clarence Holeman with the Athens-Clarke County Police Department said.

Neighbors said the crime has shaken the entire area, forcing them to make some changes, like getting a streetlight.

" All the neighbors have gotten together and swapped phone numbers and everything," Saye said.

Davidson's family is also reaching out to neighbors and others who may have some answers to their lingering questions.

"Why would somebody take a life of a 76-year-old man, that has never done anything to those individuals? Why?" asked Troy Davidson.

Crime Stoppers is offering a $1,000 reward for information on this case. Meanwhile, the family is planning Davidson's funeral for Saturday.

WSBTV