THOMAS JEFFERSON BYRD SHOT DEAD AT 70

Actor Thomas Jefferson Byrd, who performed in several of Spike Lee’s movies, has been shot and killed in Atlanta, Georgia on Saturday, according to a report by Variety

Around 1:45 a.m. the police arrived after they received a call regarding an unresponsive injured person, with multiple gunshot wounds to his back. Bryd was then pronounced dead by E.M.S.

Atlanta Police Detectives are investigating the incident. Variety reported that any information currently in their possession is exploratory and could change as evidence is accumulated.

Byrd was best known for starring in many of Spike Lee’s movies, such as Clockers, Get on the Bus, Bamboozled, Chi-Raq, Red Hook Summer, Girl 6, and Da Sweet Blood of Jesus. He also performed in Brooklyn’s Finest, the Ray Charles biopic, Ray, and Set It Off.

Lee spoke out about Byrd’s life on Instagram earlier today.

“I’m so sad to announce the tragic murder of our beloved brother Thomas Jefferson Byrd last night in Atlanta, Georgia,” Lee wrote. “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.”