Actor Thomas Jefferson Byrd was killed in a shooting in Atlanta over the weekend. Byrd was 70.
The stage and film veteran was gunned down in a residential neighborhood on Atlanta’s southwest side on Saturday, Oct. 3, Atlanta police said. Authorities responded to a call around 1:45 am Saturday to 2257 Belvedere Avenue on a report of a person injured. “Upon arrival, units located a male lying unresponsive at the location. Grady EMS responded to the scene and pronounced the male deceased from multiple gunshot wounds to the back. The victim was later identified as Thomas Byrd,” the department stated.
“Homicide detectives responded to the scene and are working to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident. The investigation continues at this time,” a statement from the Atlanta Police Department read. A representative from the department also stated that all information is “preliminary in nature and could change as the investigation progresses or new information comes to life.”
Fox News reported that they spoke with Byrd’s friend and former agent Craig Wyckoff, who claimed that he was told by mutual friends that the actor got into an argument at a store before driving home. The person Byrd argued with allegedly followed the actor home and shot him three times in the back.
Director Spike Lee paid tribute to the late actor on Instagram page over the weekend. Bryd appeared in countless movies from the Hollywood director, including “Clockers” and “Bamboozled.”
“I’m So Sad To Announce The Tragic Murder Of Our Beloved Brother Thomas Jefferson Byrd Last Night In Atlanta, Georgia,” Lee wrote alongside a still of Byrd in the film “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 went on to share several more stills from “Clockers” featuring Byrd on Instagram.
Actress Viola Davis also paid tribute to the actor on Twitter. “Oh no!!! 20202! Whaaattt!!! Loved working with you Byrd. What a fine actor you were. So sorry your life ended this way,” she wrote. “Praying for your family. So very sorry.”
Byrd was also known for his roles in “Set It Off,” “He Got Game” and “Ray.” The star was nominated for a Tony in 2003 for his performance in “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom.” Viola Davis is set to star in the film’s remake alongside the late Chadwick Boseman in a movie set to begin streaming on Netflix on Dec. 18.
