Chris Pratt And Nick Offerman Mourn Jonathan Joss After Tragic Fatal Shooting

Yahoo

2 days ago

and are mourning the loss of their former "Parks & Rec" co-star , who died Sunday in a tragic shooting in San Antonio, Texas.
Jonathan Joss was best known to many fans for his recurring role as Chief Ken Hotate on the hit NBC comedy, and for voicing John Redcorn on "King of the Hill" throughout the late '90s and early 2000s.
According to San Antonio police, officers were dispatched to the scene of a shooting around 7 p.m. on June 1. When they arrived, they found Joss lying near the roadway. Life-saving efforts were attempted while waiting for emergency medical services, but paramedics ultimately pronounced him dead at the scene.
Police later detained a suspect, identified as 56-year-old Sigfredo Alvarez Cejam, who allegedly fled the scene in a vehicle. PEOPLE confirmed that Cejam was Joss's neighbor.
He has been booked on murder charges as the investigation remains ongoing.
News of Joss's sudden passing has sent shockwaves through Hollywood, especially among his former castmates.
Chris Pratt, who starred as Andy Dwyer on "Parks and Recreation," shared a heartfelt message on his Instagram Stories following the announcement. 'Damn. RIP Jonathan. Always such a kind dude … Sad to see. Prayers up. Hug your loved ones,' Pratt wrote.
Nick Offerman, who portrayed Ron Swanson on the beloved series, also reacted to the heartbreaking news, telling PEOPLE that the cast has been leaning on each other in the wake of the tragedy.
'The cast has been texting together about it all day and we're just heartbroken,' Offerman shared. 'Jonathan was such a sweet guy and we loved having him as our Chief Ken Hotate. A terrible tragedy.'
Joss's role on "Parks and Recreation" quickly became a fan favorite.
As Chief Ken Hotate, he brought both humor and heart to Pawnee's fictional Wamapoke Tribe, appearing in several standout episodes throughout the show's run. Off-screen, he was widely remembered by co-stars and colleagues for his kindness, humility, and infectious spirit.
In addition to his work in comedy, Joss made a significant impact in animation. He took over the role of John Redcorn in "King of the Hill" during its third season after the original voice actor, Victor Aaron, tragically passed away in 1996. Joss's performance helped define the character for a generation of fans.
The creators of "King of the Hill," Mike Judge, Greg Daniels, and Saladin Patterson, also shared a statement.
"Jonathan Joss brought 'King of the Hill''s John Redcorn to life for over a dozen seasons, including in the upcoming revival," they said. "His voice will be missed at 'King of the Hill,' and we extend our deepest condolences to Jonathan's friends and family."
As tributes continue to pour in following the tragic death of actor Jonathan Joss, the San Antonio Police Department has responded to growing online speculation regarding the nature of the fatal shooting.
On Monday night, SAPD released a statement via social media refuting claims that the crime was motivated by hate. 'Despite online claims of this being a hate crime, currently the investigation has found no evidence to indicate that Mr. Joss's murder was related to his sexual orientation,' the department wrote, per Fox 7.
Authorities emphasized that they take such allegations seriously and confirmed that investigators have 'thoroughly reviewed all available information' related to the case. The department added that should any new evidence surface, the charges against the suspect, identified as Joss's neighbor, will be updated accordingly.
The investigation remains ongoing.
As friends, fans, and former castmates continue to process the loss, many are remembering Joss for the joy he brought to every set and the warmth he shared with those around him.