The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Atlanta man held in killing of actor Thomas Jefferson Byrd
Suspect arrested at least ffive other times in Fulton since 2007, records say.
An Atlanta man has been arrested ona murder charge in thef atal shooting of Thomas Jeffferson Byrd, a popular actor gunned down earlier this month, police
announced Friday.
Byrd, 70, starred in several films by director Spike Lee and was a Tony Award- nominated stage actor. He was found dead Oct. 3 after being shot several times in the back near his southwest Atlanta home, police said.
Following up on evidence and tips, investigators said they identifified the suspect in the case as 30- year- old Antonio Demetrice Rhynes. Warrants were issued for his arrest Wednesday and he was taken into custody early Friday morning at the Royal Oaks Apartments along North Camp CreekParkway, Atlanta police said.
He was booked into the Fulton County Jail, where he remains held without bail.
Rhynes has been arrested at least five other times in Fulton since 2007, online jail records show. His previous charges include armed robbery, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, burglary and hijacking a motor vehicle, among others.
Earlier this month, investigators announced a $ 10,000 reward for information leading to an arrest in the shooting, which occurred along Belvedere Avenue near the actor’s home Oct. 2 about 10p. m., police said.
Investigators said Byrd was walking home froma store on Cascade Road when the driver of a 2010 Chevrolet Impala, later identifified as Rhynes, got out and shot him. The actor’s body wasn’t discovered until about 1: 45 a. m. Oct. 3, according to police, who found spent riflfle rounds at the scene.
News of the arrest was bittersweet for his daughter, Shannon Byrd- Crossley, who said she did not know Rhynes. She added she is
grateful for the Atlanta Police Department’s efforts.
“Any progress that is made, we are thankful for it,” said Byrd- Crossley, an artist and theater teacher who lives in Atlanta. “I do feel great relief. But at the same time, it doesn’t bring him back.”
Born in Griffin, Byrd graduated from Morris Brown College, taught elementary school in Atlanta and acted on stage, on TV and in film. He went on to perform in shows led by Lee and director Kenny Leon. Byrd’s Tony nomination for best featured actor in a play came in 2003 for his work in August Wilson’s“ Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom” on Broadway.
Loved ones held amemorial service for Byrd on Tuesday outside Hillside International Truth Center in Atlanta. The servicewas also streamed online for hundreds more.
Nicknamed T- Byrd, the slain actor is survived by his son, Thomas IV; five daughters, Aria, Carmen, Kalah, Shannon Byrd- Crossley and Desaree Murden; five grandchildren; and his ex- wife.
“I realized that God’s gift to me was my dad and the way he loved me and theway that he made me feel — that I was the smartest, most capable, most beautiful person in the world ,” Mu rd en said Tuesday, her voice cracking withe motion. “I could do anything. I would say something trivial. And he would be like, ‘ Girl, you are so smart.’”