American actor Thomas Jefferson Byrd – famed for appearing in several Spike Lee films – has died

Actor Thomas Jefferson Byrd has been killed.

The star, 70, died after being shot to death on Saturday, the Atlanta Police Department confirmed.

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 medial 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.