Tragic Shooting Claims Life of Actor Jonathan Joss
June 3, 2025 – Renowned U.S. actor Jonathan Joss, best known for lending his voice to the character John Redcorn in the animated series King of the Hill, has been tragically shot dead, an incident his husband is alleging was motivated by a homophobic hate crime. However, local police have stated that they have yet to find any evidence supporting this claim.
Details of the Incident
The 59-year-old actor was fatally shot while visiting the site of their former home in Texas, which had been destroyed by a fire earlier this year. Tristan Kern de Gonzales, Joss’s husband, reported that a confrontation erupted when a man shouted violent homophobic slurs before opening fire.
According to Gonzales, both he and Joss were in a highly emotional state when they returned to the property to check their mail, only to discover the skull and harness of their deceased pet dog placed conspicuously at the site. This unsettling discovery led to their emotional outburst, drawing the ire of the alleged shooter.
The Aftermath
“While we were grieving, this man approached us and began shouting hate-filled slurs before he raised his gun and fired,” Gonzales recounted. “Jonathan heroically pushed me out of the way, saving my life.” Joss’s husband expressed profound love for him, stating, “He gave me more love in our time together than most people ever receive.” The couple had recently married on Valentine’s Day and was in search of a new home when this tragedy struck.
Investigation Status
Local law enforcement found Joss lying by the roadside in San Antonio following reports of the shooting. Sigfredo Alvarez Ceja has since been arrested on suspicion of murder. The police department commented on the case, saying, “These allegations are taken seriously, and any new evidence will be thoroughly reviewed, which could result in further charges.” Furthermore, police maintained that so far, there is no evidence that ties the shooting to Joss’s sexual orientation.
Tributes Pour In
In response to the tragic news, actors from Parks and Recreation have shared their condolences. Nick Offerman, who co-starred with Joss, stated, “We are heartbroken. Jonathan was such a kind person, and we cherished having him as our Chief Ken Hotate.” The creators of King of the Hill, Mike Judge and Greg Daniels, offered their heartfelt condolences as well, emphasizing that Joss’s contributions to the series and the upcoming revival will be deeply missed.
Joss’s Legacy
Jonathan Joss was a beloved figure in the entertainment industry, particularly known for his exceptional voice work spanning over a dozen seasons on King of the Hill, and most recently featured in a panel at the ATX Television Festival in Austin, Texas. In a poignant post preceding the event, he expressed his feelings of being sidelined despite his longstanding connection to the show, stating, “This character and voice were my home, my pride, my connection to something larger than myself.”
Upcoming Revival of King of the Hill
Fans of the series will be pleased to know that a revival of King of the Hill is set to premiere on Hulu on August 4, 2025. The revival is anticipated to bring back many cherished elements that defined the original show, which followed the life of propane salesman Hank Hill in Texas.
| Key Facts | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Jonathan Joss |
| Age | 59 |
| Last Role | Chief Ken Hotate in Parks and Recreation |
| Incident Location | San Antonio, Texas |
| Arrest | Sigfredo Alvarez Ceja |
