AUGUSTA, Ga. - Richmond County investigators are searching for the people responsible for a deadly home invasion.

Jezreel Hammond was shot and killed in his grandmother's home on Royal Street, in the Sand Hills neighborhood.

It's an area that neighbors say is usually peaceful, but that wasn't the case early Thursday morning when the 23 year old was shot to death.

One of his friends says it could be because he was not welcomed in the neighborhood.

"That was one person who was so close to me and who I promised I would never break the friendship with," said Robert Jordan, victim’s friend.

Hammond is that one person Jordan is talking about. Now that bond between friends has been broken forever.

According to investigators, several people broke into the house were Hammond lived, shot and killed him.

“I'm going to miss him it's just hard to believe,” said Jordan.

He says Hammond's killing is a result of turf warfare. Both he and Hammond used to live in Barton Village, but problems started when Hammond moved to the Sand Hills neighborhood.

"It's basically like a hood thing. When they found out he was from Barton Village they were like oh we don't like him we got to do something about him,” said Jordan.

Detectives passed out flyers in the neighborhood to help them find out who killed Hammond.

People who live in the area say they can't believe something like this could happen so close to home.

“I'm terrified,” said Sandra Donaldson, neighbor.

She just moved into the neighborhood in August with her husband and two children.

“I figured it would be a great neighborhood to raise my kids in,” she said.

Now she doubts her decision.

"I'm very scared for them to be at the bus stop now with this happening," said Donaldson.

But Jordan says he is not afraid to live in the neighborhood.

“No it doesn't put fear in my heart. That's one thing Jazz as well as my other two brothers taught me, don't ever put fear in your heart,” said Jordan.

At this time investigators are releasing very little information about this case and they are depending on leads from the community to help solve this murder case.

If you have any information about this case call the Richmond County Sheriff's Office at (706) 821-1080.