American Actor, Thomas Jefferson Byrd has died at 70 after being shot multiple times in the back in Georgia on Saturday morning.
Atlanta Police Department confirmed that Byrd died of the gunshot wounds in the early hours of Sunday, October 4, saying his death and the circumstances around it were under investigation.
The actor was found over the weekend after police were called to a home in Atlanta.
Atlanta police spokesperson Anthony Grant stated that they found an unresponsive man, who was pronounced dead by paramedics from multiple gunshot wounds to the back.
Grant added that homicide detectives were “working to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident”.
Born in 1950 in Florida, Byrd grew up in Georgia and attended Morris Brown College in Atlanta, where he received a bachelor’s degree in education. Later, he studied dance at the California Institute of the Arts, earning a master of fine arts.
As a film actor, Byrd worked with popular director Spike Lee on many projects including “He Got Game,” “Get on the Bus” and “Clockers”.
Following the announcement of his death, Lee took his Instagram page to pay tribute to him, describing his death as a “murder”.
He wrote;
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.
May his soul rest in peace.
