Atlanta Police Make Arrest In Shooting Death Of Actor Thomas Jefferson Byrd

On Friday, Atlanta police announced that they had made an arrest in the shooting death of actor Thomas Jefferson Byrd.

According to the Associated Press, Homicide detectives in Atlanta obtained a warrant on Wednesday to arrest 30-year-old Antonio Demetrice Rhynes on a felony murder charge based on evidence and tips received from the public.

Officers arrested Rhynes early Friday morning through the use of a drone. Footage of the arrest released by Atlanta police showed the camera entering a second-floor apartment with a damaged front door. The drone then moves through the living room and kitchen, searching for the suspect.

In the video, a man pokes his head out of a doorway and raises a hand while saying something inaudible before ducking back in. The shirtless man emerges a few seconds later wearing red shorts with white stars and with both hands in the air. He then puts his hands on his head and walks out of the apartment.

Rhynes is charged with Byrd’s death, who died from multiple gunshot wounds to his back.

The well respected, Tony-nominated actor was found dead in the early morning hours of Oct. 3 near his home in southwest Atlanta. He was best known for his roles in many Spike Lee films, including “Clockers,” “Chi-Raq,” “Bamboozled,” “He Got Game,” and “Da Sweet Blood of Jesus.”