Thomas Jefferson Byrd dead: Spike Lee collaborator shot dead in Atlanta

Actor Thomas Jefferson Byrd has died after being shot in Atlanta, Georgia.

The 70-year-old died of multiple gunshot wounds in the early hours of Sunday morning, police have confirmed.

CNN reports that authorities were called to an address to attend an injured person. When they arrived, Byrd was found unresponsive.

The circumstances around his death will be investigated.

Oscar-winning director Spike Lee paid tribute to his “beloved brother” Byrd.

View this post on Instagram

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.🙏🏿🙏🏿🙏🏿🙏🏿🙏🏿🙏🏿🙏🏿🙏🏿🙏🏿🙏🏿🙏🏿🙏🏿🙏🏿🙏🏿🙏🏿🙏🏿🙏🏿🙏🏿🙏🏿🙏🏿🙏🏿🙏🏿🙏🏿🙏🏿🙏🏿🙏🏿🙏🏿🙏🏿🙏🏿🙏🏿🙏🏿🙏🏿🙏🏿🙏🏿🙏🏿🙏🏿🙏🏿🙏🏿🙏🏿🙏🏿🙏🏿🙏🏿💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜

A post shared by Spike Lee (@officialspikelee) on Oct 4, 2020 at 10:40am PDT

The duo worked together numerous times with Byrd appearing in a number of Lee’s projects, including Chi-raq, He Got Game and Clockers.

“Tom Is My Guy,” Lee’s tribute continued. “May We All Wish Condolences And Blessings To His Family. Rest In Peace Brother Byrd.” [sic]

He also posted a series of prayer emojis and purple hearts, sharing the message alongside a vintage picture of Byrd.