Thomas Gibson Responds to Being Fired from Criminal Minds After Alleged Altercation on Set

Thomas Gibson is officially not returning to Criminal Minds after being suspended for an alleged physical altercation on set.

"Thomas Gibson has been dismissed from Criminal Minds," reads a statement released to PEOPLE by ABC Studios and CBS Television Studios. "Creative details for how the character's exit will be addressed in the show will be announced at a later date."

In response to his dismissal, Gibson released the following statement to PEOPLE: "I love Criminal Minds and have put my heart and soul into it for the last 12 years. 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."

Following the incident – which a source told PEOPLE occurred about two weeks ago while Gibson was directing and starring in an upcoming episode – the actor was initially only suspended.



"There were creative differences on the set and a disagreement. I regret that it occurred," Gibson, 54, said in a statement to PEOPLE on Thursday after news of his suspension broke. "We all want to work together as a team to make the best show possible. We always have and we always will."

Despite the suspension, the source had believed "everyone is fine now."

"Almost out of instinct, Thomas basically kicked him in the shin," said the source, adding that the writer "seemed alright at the time, but when his team found out it turned into something bigger."

Though Gibson was also alleged to have engaged in a physical incident with a fellow Criminal Minds staffer some years back, according to the outlet, the source told PEOPLE on Thursday: "Thomas is the most kindhearted family man. He's a great father, takes care of his mom and spends as much time with his kids as possible. He's a great guy, and I hate that this minor disagreement is what people are hearing about him."

Gibson's departure from his hit CBS show comes on the heels of the addition of Wilmer Valderrama and Aisha Tyler as series regulars.

Criminal Minds returns for season 12 on Sept. 28 on CBS.