Thomas Jefferson Byrd, known for Spike Lee films, killed
ATLANTA (AP) - Actor Thomas Jefferson Byrd, known for his roles in Spike Lee films, has been shot and killed in Atlanta, police said Sunday.
Police responded to a call around 1:45 a.m. Saturday and found the 70-year-old Byrd unresponsive with multiple gunshot wounds in his back, police spokesman Officer Anthony Grant said in a statement.
Responding paramedics pronounced him dead at the scene on the city's southwest side, where he lived.
Grant said 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 'œdid his thang'ť in his films including 'œClockers,'ť 'œChi-Raq,'ť 'œBamboozled,'ť 'œHe Got Game'ť and 'œDa Sweet Blood of Jesus,'ť among others.
'œMay we all wish condolences and blessings to his family,'ť Lee wrote. 'œRest in peace, Brother Byrd.'ť
Lee also shared some of his favorite scenes with Byrd from 'œClockers'ť and 'œBamboozled.'ť
Byrd, also a stage actor, was nominated in 2003 for a Tony for his performance in the Broadway revival of 'œMa Rainey's Black Bottom,'ť co-starring Whoopi Goldberg and Charles S. Dutton.
Oscar-winning actor Viola Davis tweeted: 'œOh no!!! 2020! Whaaattt!!!'ť
'œLoved working with you Byrd,'ť she wrote. 'œWhat a fine actor you were. So sorry your life ended this way. Praying for your family.'ť
Byrd was a 'œbrilliant dancer, actor, and friend,'ť Elisabeth Omilami, a fellow actor and community activist, told WXIA-TV in Atlanta.
'œHe was a special person whose personality filled up the whole room when he entered you knew he was there,'ť she said. 'œHe fought his way through this very racist and difficult Hollywood system and was able to maintain a career through it all.'ť
She said Byrd had just recently finished his last film, 'œFreedom's Path,'ť with her husband, actor Afemo Omilami.
Actor Lori Petty tweeted: 'œWhat a man, what a talent ... what a crazy loss.'ť