Thomas Gibson Responds to Criminal Minds Firing

Thomas Gibson was fired from CBS' long-running crime drama Criminal Minds on Friday. The dismissal comes following an on-set altercation with a producer.

"I love Criminal Minds and have put my heart and soul into it for the last 12 years," Gibson said in a statement. "I had hoped to see it through to the end, but that won't be possible now. I would just like to say thank you to the writers, producers, actors, our amazing crew, and, most importantly, the best fans that a show could ever hope to have."

Thomas Gibson fired from Criminal Minds following on-set altercation

Originally, Gibson was set to receive a two-episode suspension after news broke earlier this week that he kicked a producer on set while shooting an episode that Gibson was directing. On Friday, ABC Studios and CBS Television Studios announced he would not be returning.

"Thomas Gibson has been dismissed from Criminal Minds," the studios said in a joint statement. "Creative details for how the character's exit will be addressed in the show will be announced at a later date."

Gibson has portrayed lead character Aaron "Hotch" Hotchner on Criminal Minds since the show premiered in 2005.

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