Jonathan Joss, beloved for his iconic voice role as John Redcorn on “King of the Hill,” has tragically passed away after being fatally shot in what his husband described as a hate-motivated confrontation. The actor, also known for his role as Chief Ken Hotate on “Parks and Recreation,” was 59.
The fatal incident occurred in San Antonio, Texas. According to PEOPLE, Joss and his husband, Tristan Kern de Gonzalez, were visiting the site of their former home—previously destroyed by fire—when they encountered a man who allegedly hurled homophobic slurs and opened fire. Gonzalez shared the heartbreaking news in a Facebook post, detailing the moment his partner saved his life.
“Jonathan and I had no weapons. We were not threatening anyone. We were grieving. We were standing side by side. When the man fired, Jonathan pushed me out of the way. He saved my life,” Gonzalez wrote.
The San Antonio Police Department later identified the alleged shooter as 56-year-old Sigfredo Alvarez Cejam, who fled the scene following the attack.
A Pattern of Harassment and Loss Before the Fatal Shooting
According to Gonzalez, the tragic moment was the culmination of a pattern of harassment the couple endured for more than two years. The couple had previously lost their home to a fire, which Gonzalez says followed “two years of threats” from individuals within the neighborhood. “Much of the harassment was openly homophobic,” he revealed.
On the day of the shooting, Joss and Gonzalez had reportedly discovered the remains of one of their dogs in the rubble of their destroyed home. Emotional and overwhelmed, the two men were grieving openly when Cejam allegedly approached, shouted slurs, and drew his weapon.
Authorities from the San Antonio Police Department responded to the incident but issued a statement claiming there was “no evidence” so far to classify the shooting as a hate crime.
“SAPD investigators handle these allegations very seriously and have thoroughly reviewed all available information. Should any new evidence come to light, the suspect will be charged accordingly,” the statement read.
Still, members of the LGBTQ+ community and fans of Joss are expressing outrage, demanding a full and transparent investigation into the motive behind the shooting.
Jonathan Joss rose to fame for voicing John Redcorn on “King of the Hill,” a Native American character who became a fan favorite. Later, he brought laughs and wisdom to viewers as Chief Ken Hotate on “Parks and Recreation.”
Most recently, Joss had returned to reprise his role in the highly anticipated revival of “King of the Hill” on Hulu.
