Thomas Jefferson Byrd, actor known for Spike Lee films, killed in Atlanta, police say

ATLANTA — Actor Thomas Jefferson Byrd, known for his roles in several Spike Lee films, died over the weekend in a shooting in southwest Atlanta, WSB-TV reported. He was 70.

Police told Variety that officers found Byrd unresponsive around 1:45 a.m. Saturday after someone called in a report of an injured person. Byrd was shot several times in the back at a home on Belvedere Avenue, WSB-TV reported. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Atlanta police spokesman Anthony Grant told USA Today on Sunday that detectives were “working to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident.”

Lee confirmed Byrd’s death in a social media post Sunday.

“I’m So Sad To Announce The Tragic Murder Of Our Beloved Brother Thomas Jefferson Byrd Last Night In (Atlanta),” Lee wrote. “Tom Is My Guy … May We All Wish Condolences And Blessings To His Family. Rest In Peace Brother Byrd.”

Byrd appeared in several of Lee’s films, including “Clockers,” “Get on the Bus,” “Bamboozled,” and most recently, 2015′s “Chi-Raq.” In 2003, he made his Broadway debut in a revival of “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom” alongside Whoopi Godberg and Charles S. Dutton, USA Today reported. The role earned him a Tony nomination for best actor.

Anyone with information on the shooting can contact Greater Atlanta Crime Stoppers at 404-577-8477.

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Dawn Wells FILE PHOTO: Actress Dawn Wells attends the 2015 TV Land Awards at Saban Theatre on April 11, 2015 in Beverly Hills, California. Wells died Wednesday of illness related to COVID-19. She was 82. (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images) (Jason Merritt/Getty Images)

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