Thomas Jefferson Byrd's death: Atlanta police offer $10,000 reward for suspects in actor's homicide

The Atlanta Police Department is offering a $10,000 reward in the shooting death of Tony Award-nominated actor Thomas Jefferson Byrd.

Atlanta police spokesperson TaSheena Brown confirmed to USA TODAY Tuesday that the department will reward up to $10,000 to anyone with information that leads to the arrest and indictment of a suspect in Byrd's homicide.

Police were dispatched to a home in Atlanta at 1:45 a.m. local time Sunday, where they found an unresponsive man, later identified as Byrd. Paramedics pronounced him dead from multiple gunshot wounds to the back, APD spokesperson Anthony Grant told USA TODAY. He was 70.

Thomas Jefferson Byrd:Spike Lee mourns his longtime star killed in apparent shooting

Byrd is best known for his collaborations with Oscar winner Spike Lee. The duo worked together on eight films between 1995 and 2005, including 1995's "Clockers," 1996's "Get on the Bus" and "Girl 6," 1998's "He Got Game," 2000's "Bamboozled," 2012's "Red Hook Summer," 2014's "Da Sweet Blood of Jesus" and 2015's "Chi-Raq."

In addition to Lee's films, Byrd also appeared in the 1996 crime drama "Set It Off," 2004 Ray Charles biopic "Ray" and the TV series "She's Gotta Have It."

The Morris Brown College graduate also performed on Broadway. In 2003, he made his Broadway debut appearing alongside Whoopi Goldberg and Charles S. Dutton in the revival of "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom," which landed him a Tony nomination for best featured actor in a play. 

Detectives are asking anyone with pertinent information to contact the Atlanta Police Homicide Unit, Crime Stoppers at 404-577-8477 or online at www.StopCrimeATL.com. Callers can remain anonymous, Brown added.

Contributing: Hannah Yasharoff