King of the Hill actor Jonathan Joss was killed in a ‘homophobic hate crime' after ‘years of threats', husband says

Yahoo

2 days ago

King of the Hill voice actor Jonathan Joss's husband has broken his silence after the actor died aged 59 in a Texas shooting.
Joss, who voiced John Redcorn for seasons two through 13 of the popular animated series, was reportedly shot multiple times over the weekend after a disagreement with a neighbor. San Antonio police responded to a home after reports of shots fired and found Joss near the road with gunshot wounds, according to Variety. Joss was pronounced dead at the scene.
Sigfredo Alvarez Ceja, 56, has been arrested and charged with murder in Joss's death, according to The Washington Post.
Tristan Kern de Gonzales, Joss's husband, posted a statement to the actor's Facebook page claiming the shooting was a homophobic hate crime.
Gonzales said he and Joss were checking the mail at the site of their former home, which burned down in a January fire, when the incident occurred. The couple lost their three dogs in the fire.
'When we returned to the site to check our mail we discovered the skull of one of our dogs and its harness placed in clear view. This caused both of us severe emotional distress. We began yelling and crying in response to the pain of what we saw,' Gonzales wrote.
That's when, according to Gonzales, a man approached the two and 'started yelling violent homophobic slurs at us. He then raised a gun from his lap and fired.'
'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,' Gonzales continued.
Gonzales said he and Joss 'were harassed regularly by individuals who made it clear they did not accept our relationship. Much of the harassment was openly homophobic.'
'He was murdered by someone who could not stand the sight of two men loving each other,' Gonzales continued. 'I was with him when he passed. I told him how much he was loved.'
Gonzales noted he and Joss were married just a few months ago on Valentine's Day and were making plans for the future, rebuilding what they lost in the January fire.
Speaking of the fire, Gonzales said the couple's home 'was burned down after over two years of threats from people in the area who repeatedly told us they would set it on fire. We reported these threats to law enforcement multiple times and nothing was done.'
Gonzales concluded his statement by sharing his intent to 'protect what [Joss] built' going forward.
Joss — whose other credits included the recurring role of Chief Ken Hotate on Parks and Recreation, as well as Tulsa King, Ray Donovan, True Grit, and The Magnificent Seven — took over the King of the Hill role of John Redcorn from Victor Aaron, who died in a 1996 car accident.
He has been remembered by fans in numerous social media posts.
'I always knew Jonathan to be a kind person and that he saved your life does not surprise me.I am glad that you are committed to keeping his name alive,' one person commented on Facebook.
'When I saw that Jonathan Joss passed away I was in tears still am in tears.. My heart breaks for you Tristan,' another wrote.
'I'm so sorry and shocked this happened. I hope the man is swiftly brought to justice,' someone else chimed in.
Another wrote: 'Jonathan was my friend. I am shocked and shaken by this horrible news. I don't and can't [understand] this hate. My heart goes out to you and I am so sorry.'