Cops offering $10G reward in actor Thomas Jefferson Byrd's shooting death as search for suspect continues

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Authorities in Atlanta are offering a $10,000 reward as they continue to search for the suspect who shot actor Thomas Jefferson Byrd.

Best known for his roles in Spike Lee films, Byrd was found dead around 1:45 a.m. on Saturday on the city's southwest side. He had been shot multiple times in the back.

The reward was announced Tuesday. Police have not identified a suspect in the 70-year-old actor's shooting death or said why it may have happened.

Byrd was found shot near his home and died before he could be taken to a hospital. Fox News spoke with Byrd's friend and former representation Craig Wyckoff, who said he was told by mutual friends that Byrd got into an argument at a store before driving home.

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The person Byrd argued with followed the actor home, Wyckoff said, and shot Byrd three times in the back, killing him.

Actor Thomas Jefferson Byrd poses for a portrait at the 2014 American Black Film Festival at the Metropolitan Pavillion on June 21, 2014 in New York City.  (Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images)

Byrd acted in films including “Clockers,” “Chi-Raq,” “Bamboozled,” “He Got Game” and “Da Sweet Blood of Jesus.” Also a stage actor, Byrd was nominated in 2003 for a Tony Award for his performance in the Broadway revival of “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom,” co-starring Whoopi Goldberg and Charles S. Dutton.

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Police ask anyone with information to call them or Crime Stoppers at 404-577-8477 or submit information online at www.StopCrimeATL.com.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.