Latest news with #KENS5
New York Post
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- New York Post
Jonathan Joss murder investigators walk back dismissal of homophobic hate crime claims: ‘Way, way, way premature'
Detectives investigating 'King of the Hill' actor Jonathan Joss' murder walked back their dismissal of homophobic hate crime claims — admitting it was 'way premature' to rule the possibility out. 'We issued a statement the day after Jonathan Joss's murder that was way, way, way premature,' San Antonio Police Chief William McManus told reporters Thursday. 'We shouldn't have done it.' Joss' husband took to social media a day after his Sunday murder to claim the shooting was carried out by a bigoted neighbor who'd been harassing them over their sexuality for years — and that the gunman was spewing homophobic slurs as he pulled the trigger. Advertisement Tristan Kern de Gonzales with his husband, actor Jonathan Joss, who was gunned down Sunday. Facebook/Jonathan Joss The San Antonio Police Department (SAPD) quickly rebuked those allegations, however, writing within hours on X that investigators had found 'no evidence to indicate that Mr. Joss's murder was related to his sexual orientation' — but now seems to be changing its tune. 'It was way too soon before we had any real information, and I will own that,' McManus said. Advertisement The chief didn't comment on whether investigators were now looking into homophobia as a motivator for the suspect arrested at the scene — Joss' 56-year-old next-door neighbor Sigfredo Ceja Alvarez — instead explaining that in Texas, hate crimes are not separate charges, but rather enhancements at sentencing time. 'They are addressed through sentencing enhancements. So, for example, if someone's arrested for a class B misdemeanor and a hate crime designation attaches to that charge, then that Class B misdemeanor is elevated to a class A misdemeanor,' McManus said, according to KENS 5. Joss — a 59-year-old who played 'John Redcorn' on 'King of the Hill' — was gunned down in his driveway Sunday evening after he stopped by his property to pick up his mail, but got into a heated argument with someone and wound up dead on the ground. Suspect Sigfredo Ceja Alvarez in his booking photo. He's accused of murder. Getty Images Advertisement His husband, Tristan Kern de Gonzales, claimed they'd found the remains of a beloved pet dog they'd recently lost in a property fire displayed out front, and that they became distraught at the sight. A neighbor whom Joss had been butting heads with for years then came over and started arguing with them, Gonzales claimed, then pulled out a rifle and killed the actor. After police initially refuted Gonzales' claims, numerous residents on the street revealed Joss hadn't been the best neighbor and recounted stories of him stalking up and down the block while screaming and wielding weapons. Advertisement But they also corroborated claims about a years-long feud between Joss and Alvarez, with some describing hearing gunshots ringing from both men's properties at odd hours of the night. That conflict and others with Joss resulted in more than 70 police calls to his property over the past two years, Chief McManus revealed Thursday. 'Sometimes he was the caller. Other times the neighbors were calling on him. Our safe unit, our mental health unit had extensive engagements with Mr. Joss, making repeated efforts to mediate conflicts,' the chief said.
Toronto Star
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Toronto Star
San Antonio police: No evidence that ‘King of the Hill' actor Jonathan Joss' fatal shooting was a ‘hate crime'
A day after actor Jonathan Joss was shot and killed in San Antonio, his husband posted a statement Monday on Joss' Facebook page, saying the shooting was spurred by homophobia. Hours later, the San Antonio police department posted on X, writing, '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.' An investigation remains ongoing. Joss' husband, Tristan Kern de Gonzales, had accused the suspect, identified by police as 56-year-old Sigfredo Alvarez Ceja, of directing homophobic slurs toward him and Joss before the shooting on Sunday night. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW 'He was murdered by someone who could not stand the sight of two men loving each other,' Gonzales wrote. Ceja was taken into police custody and charged with murder, according to officials. His bond was set for $200,000, per KENS 5. Reports have also emerged of a long-standing feud between Joss and Ceja. The two were former neighbors and used to shoot toward each others' property, KENS 5 reported. Neighbors told the station the feud compromised their safety and that law enforcement was not responsive to complaints. San Antonio police said a unit had been mediating the dispute, according to KENS 5. Joss had returned to his former address on Sunday to check his mail, KENS 5 reported. His house burned down earlier this year. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW Joss appeared in 'Parks and Recreation' as well as 'Tulsa King,' but he was perhaps best known for his role voicing John Redcorn in King of the Hill. The animated sitcom has a reboot that premieres Aug. 4 on Hulu. Joss had lines recorded for the upcoming season, Variety reported. In a Monday statement to People magazine, 'Parks and Recreation' actor Nick Offerman said the show's cast was 'heartbroken' over Joss' death. 'Jonathan was such a sweet guy and we loved having him as our Chief Ken Hotate. A terrible tragedy.' ________
International Business Times
19-05-2025
- International Business Times
San Antonio 'Illegal' Arrested for Sexually Assaulting Minor He Met Online, Getting Victim Pregnant Twice
A 32-year-old man living in the country illegally has been arrested for sexually assaulting a child, impregnating the victim twice, according to authorities. According to arrest warrants obtained by KENS5, Luis Adalberto Veliz-Lopez is now facing four counts of sexual assault of a child. Veliz-Lopez Met the Victim Through Instagram, Told Her 'Age is Just a Number' Police arrested Veliz-Lopez, after a woman reportedly told officers about the sexual assaults that began when she was just 14. According to the arrest warrants, the victim met Veliz-Lopez through Instagram when he was 22 and she was just 13. Police say the victim asked Veliz-Lopez if he was okay with having a relationship with her because of her age. The warrant says Veliz-Lopez responded: "Age is just a number." Veliz-Lopez and the Victim Roleplayed as Uncle and Niece Shortly after turning 14, the victim says they began a sexual relationship, where Veliz-Lopez would pretend to be the victim's uncle and sign her out of school. Veliz-Lopez would allegedly take her to his home where the two would have sex. Police say the victim had a baby, when she was 16, too young to consent. Then police says she got pregnant again, while she was still 16. Veliz-Lopez Sent Victim Screenshots of Photos, Videos of Their Sexual Encounters During Custody Dispute of the Children Officers say Veliz-Lopez took photos and video of the sexual encounters and sent the victim screenshots during a custody dispute. The victim claims Veliz-Lopez threatened to release the photos and video and also threatened to kill or hurt her. She also claims Veliz-Lopez threatened to take the kids to Canada or his native Guatemala. Veliz-Lopez is currently in the Bexar County Jail, with an immigration hold, for entering the country illegally.
Daily Mail
01-05-2025
- General
- Daily Mail
Adorable cross-eyed cat called Pepper is EVICTED from Texas library where she lived after local complained
An adorable eight-month-old stray kitten was evicted from the Texas library that sheltered her after a fuming local complained. The tiny feline named Pepper was kicked out of the Pioneer Memorial Library in Fredericksburg on April 15, reported KENS 5. Pepper had been residing at the library for an undisclosed amount of time when she was discovered by furious locals who did not want her there. Community members in a private local Facebook group questioned why a publicly funded library would keep an animal that could trigger patrons' allergies, according to the San Antonio Express-News. The decision to evict the colorful and seemingly cross-eyed kitty out sparked fierce backlash from animal lovers and thousands signed a petition to get her to stay. 'Pepper, a beloved rescue cat, has brought joy and comfort to Pioneer Memorial Library goers,' one petition with over 9,000 signatures said. 'Pepper is not just a cat; she's become an essential part of our community. She provides companionship to library goers, fosters a welcoming environment, and encourages younger visitors to engage with the library.' Despite her supporters' objections, Pepper was officially evicted from the library in a closed door meeting by the Gillespie County Commissioners Court. Gillespie County Judge Daniel Jones told the local news station that library personnel should have sought 'consent' from county leaders before bringing in an animal. 'Regrettably, the presence of the cat in the County Library has now become a divisive issue, pitting members of our community against one another,' Jones said. 'This situation is also now taking away focus and resources from the other important work of conducting the business of the people of Gillespie County.' The Hill Country SPCA was able to take in Pepper and put the young domestic shorthair up for adoption. 'Once in a quiet corner of the Fredericksburg Public Library, nestled between novels and non-fiction, a small, calico shadow was once stealing hearts one purr at a time,' the shelter said. 'Pepper has become a familiar (and furry) face to local patrons, often found curled up in sunny reading nooks or gently nuzzling visitors for affection. 'Described by library staff as 'docile, affectionate, and truly stunning', she's the kind of companion who doesn't need to meow loudly to make her presence known—her charm speaks for itself.' Not long after, Pepper was adopted by Kristen Nelson, her husband, their two daughters and two cats. 'She's super special and precious,' Nelson said. 'I anticipated she would hide and be skittish but she came in ready to play and explore.' Pepper's new owners said they plan on making a social media account to document her new life. 'While I know many of us wish that Pepper would have been allowed to stay at the library, please know we will take the best care of her and are hopeful to have her remain a fixture in our community,' Nelson said.
Yahoo
18-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Trader Joe's Announces New Locations In 6 Southern States
Trader Joe's has announced plans to open new stores in 13 states this year, including six states in the South. While specific store opening dates have yet to be announced, the grocery chain has confirmed these locations should open some time in 2025: Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, at 1511 Brookton Circle Oklahoma City at 6920 Northwest Expressway New Orleans, Louisiana at 2501 Tulane Ave. Rockville, Maryland at 225 N. Washington St. Washington, DC at 701 Monroe St. NE (Brookland) and 5335 Wisconsin Ave. NW (Friendship Heights) Hoover, Alabama at 1771 Montgomery Highway KENS5 also reports that a third location in San Antonio, Texas is expected to break ground this year and open in early 2026. Trader Joe's just opened a store in Murfreesboro, Tennessee this month. New locations opened late last year in Alpharetta, Georgia; Palm Harbor, Florida; Sandy Springs, Georgia; Greenville, North Carolina; and Raleigh, North Carolina. Trader Joe's is a popular place to shop for inexpensive, in-house products from frozen meals to snacks (the quirky retailer famously sells individual bananas for 23 cents apiece). Each year, customers vote for which products should be in the "Product Hall of Fame," which features favorites like tubs of Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups and blocks of Unexpected Cheddar. It's also a great place for fresh flowers and cheap wine. You can keep an eye out for store opening dates on the Trader Joe's announcement page. Before making your first trip, check out our list of items you should always buy at Trader Joe's. Read the original article on Southern Living
