Thomas Jefferson Byrd: Spike Lee actor killed in Georgia shooting
The popular stage and screen character actor, Thomas Jefferson Byrd, who appeared in several Spike Lee films, was found shot dead Saturday night on Belvedere Avenue in South West Atlanta, Georgia, with multiple gunshot wounds to his back. Byrd, once nominated for a Tony Award for “Best Featured Actor in a Play,” was 70 years old at the time of his murder.
Police officers were dispatched to 2259 Belvedere Ave. responding to a call about an injured person at 1:45 a.m. on Saturday. Upon arrival, units found Byrd lying unresponsive at the location. Emergency medical services responded to the scene and pronounced Byrd dead from multiple gunshot wounds to the back. ~ MSN
The actor lived in Atlanta’s South West side and is also known for his role in Jamie Foxx’s Ray Charles biopic, “Ray.”
… homicide detectives were working to determine the circumstances surrounding the shooting and declined to provide further details.
In an Instagram post Sunday, Lee said he was sad to announce Byrd’s death and recalled how the actor “did his thang” in his films including “Clockers,” “Chi-Raq,” “Bamboozled,” “He Got Game” and “Da Sweet Blood of Jesus,” among others. ~ CBS News
“May we all wish condolences and blessings to his family,” Lee wrote. “Rest in peace, Brother Byrd.”
Oscar-winning actor Viola Davis who also worked with Byrd in the past, took to Twitter to express her dismay, tweeting, “Oh no!!! 2020! Whaaattt!!!”
“Loved working with you Byrd,” she wrote. “What a fine actor you were. So sorry your life ended this way. Praying for your family.”
Homicide detectives with the Atlanta Police Department are still investigating the circumstances surrounding Byrd’s shooting death.
For more on this tragic story, see the video accompanying this article.
(Cover photo, Thomas Jefferson Byrd with Spike Lee, Image credit: Facebook)
~ Posted by Richard Webster, Ace News Today / Connect with Richard on Facebook and Twitter
