Thomas Jefferson Byrd dead: Spike Lee film star, 70, shot multiple times

Thomas Jefferson Byrd is dead. (Courtesy)

Actor Thomas Jefferson Byrd has been killed. The star, 70, died after being shot to death on Saturday, the Atlanta Police Department confirmed to Variety. The outlet reports that on Saturday, Atlanta police officers were dispatched to 2259 Belvedere Ave., responding to a call about an injured person at 1:45 a.m. They add that Upon arrival, officers located Thomas lying unresponsive at the location.

The outlet adds that emergency medical services responded to the scene, identified Byrd and pronounced him dead from multiple gunshot wounds to the back. Homicide detectives are working to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident, and the investigation is currently ongoing. The Atlanta Police Department told the online site that the information is preliminary in nature and could change as the investigation continues or new information comes to light the outlet reports.