Thomas Jefferson Byrd, actor in Spike Lee Films, murdered in Atlanta

Thomas Jefferson Byrd, an actor in several of Spike Lee’s films, was killed in Atlanta on Saturday,according to a report by Variety.

He was 70.

What happened to Thomas Jefferson Byrd

Authorities said Atlanta police officers were dispatched Saturday to 2259 Belvedere Ave., responding to a call about an injured person at 1:45 a.m.

Upon arrival, officers located Byrd lying unresponsive at the location. Emergency medial services responded to the scene, identified Byrd and pronounced him dead from multiple gunshot wounds to the back.

Homicide detectives are working to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident, and the investigation is currently ongoing.

Acting career

Byrd was a Tony nominated actor. He obtained a Bachelor’s of Science degree in education from Morris Brown and a Master of Fine Arts degree in dance from California Institute of the Arts.

He was best known for his roles in Spike Lee Films including “Clockers,” “Get on the Bus,” “Bamboozled,” “Chi-Raq,” “He Got Game” , “Red Hook Summer,” “Girl 6” and “Da Sweet Blood of Jesus.”

He also appeared in Jamie Foxx’s Ray Charles biopic “Ray”, F. Gary Gray’s “Set It Off”, and Antoine Fuqua’s “Brooklyn’s Finest.”

Lee paid tribute to him on Instagram on Sunday.

“I’m so sad to announce the tragic murder of our beloved brother Thomas Jefferson Byrd last night in Atlanta, Georgia. Tom is my guy. Here below you see him as the frightening character Errol Barnes in CLOCKERS. Brother Byrd also did his thang in my joints — CHI-RAQ, SWEET BLOOD OF JESUS, RED HOOK SUMMER, BAMBOOZLED, HE GOT GAME, GET ON THE BUS, GIRL 6 and CLOCKERS. May we all wish condolences and blessings to his family. Rest in peace brother Byrd,” Lee wrote.