Jonathan Joss, a well-known American actor, has been tragically killed in a shooting that his husband claims was fueled by homophobia—although Texas authorities say they've uncovered no evidence supporting that motive.
Joss, aged 59, gained fame for voicing John Redcorn in the iconic animated show King of the Hill and for his memorable role as Chief Ken Hotate in the comedy series Parks and Recreation.
According to his husband, Tristan Kern de Gonzales, the two had returned to the site of their burned-down home—which was destroyed in a January fire—when a man began hurling violent anti-LGBTQ slurs at them before opening fire.
In a statement, the San Antonio Police Department said: “While some are labeling this a hate crime, our investigation hasn’t uncovered anything that confirms the murder was motivated by sexual orientation.”
Gonzales shared more chilling details on Facebook, saying the couple went to their former property to check mail, only to find a disturbing display: the skull and harness of one of their deceased dogs, laid out deliberately. The sight left them devastated.
“We started screaming and crying, overwhelmed by grief,” he wrote. “That’s when a man came toward us, shouting homophobic insults. Suddenly, he pulled a gun from his lap and fired.”
Neither of them was armed, according to Gonzales, who emphasized they posed no threat. “We were mourning. We stood close together. And when the shots rang out, Jonathan shoved me out of the way—he saved my life.”
He described his late husband as a man full of love and revealed they had recently married on Valentine’s Day. They were planning to move into a trailer while rebuilding their life together.
“I was with him in his final moments. I told him how deeply he was loved,” Gonzales added.
Tributes and Arrest
Police responded to a shooting call and discovered Joss lying near a roadway in San Antonio, as reported by CBS. Authorities later arrested Sigfredo Alvarez Ceja on suspicion of murder.
In their official statement, police said, “We treat these types of accusations with the utmost seriousness. If new evidence surfaces, charges will be adjusted accordingly.”
The tragedy sparked emotional responses across the entertainment world. Nick Offerman, who worked with Joss on Parks and Recreation, told People magazine: “Our cast has been messaging each other all day. We’re devastated. Jonathan was incredibly kind, and we cherished him as Chief Ken Hotate. It’s a heartbreaking loss.”
Creators of King of the Hill—Mike Judge, Greg Daniels, and Saladin Patterson—also honored Joss, stating: “He brought John Redcorn to life for more than 12 seasons, including in the upcoming revival. His voice will be missed, and we send our deepest condolences to his loved ones.”
A Painful Goodbye to a Beloved Role
Just days before the shooting, Joss appeared at the ATX Television Festival in Austin, Texas, where he attended a King of the Hill panel as part of the audience. Despite his deep ties to the show, he had publicly expressed disappointment over not being invited to speak.
“This show meant everything to me,” he wrote in April. “That character, that voice, that entire story was my home and my identity. Being left out made me feel like I was excluded from something I helped create.”
Set in Texas, the beloved animated series follows the life of Hank Hill, a straight-laced propane salesman, and his eclectic circle of friends and family. Created in 1997, the series aired for over 250 episodes and is now gearing up for a revival season.
Fans can catch the new episodes when they drop on Hulu starting August 4.
Description:
"Actor Jonathan Joss, best known as the voice of John Redcorn on King of the Hill, was fatally shot in San Antonio in a suspected hate crime. His husband alleges homophobia played a role, though police say no evidence has confirmed it. Learn about the tragedy, arrest details, and how Hollywood is mourning his loss."