Jonathan Joss Shot Dead at 59 in Texas Tragedy His Husband Says Was Hate-Fueled Crime

In a devastating loss that has left fans and co-stars reeling, Jonathan Joss, beloved for his roles as John Redcorn in King of the Hill and Chief Ken Hotate in Parks and Recreation, was fatally shot on June 1 near his former home in San Antonio, Texas. The 59-year-old actor, who had recently married his partner Tristan Kern de Gonzales on Valentine’s Day, was described by friends and colleagues as “a sweet guy” and “deeply valued member of every cast he joined.”

What began as a return to retrieve mail from their burned-down property ended in horror. According to Joss’s husband, the couple was confronted by a man who hurled violent homophobic slurs before opening fire. In a heart-wrenching Facebook post, de Gonzales recounted how the suspect—identified as 56-year-old Sigfredo Alvarez Ceja—allegedly pulled a gun and fired after spotting them mourning the remains of one of their dogs. “Jonathan pushed me out of the way,” wrote de Gonzales. “He saved my life.”

Authorities with the San Antonio Police Department confirmed Joss was found lying near the road when they arrived. Despite attempts at lifesaving intervention, he was pronounced dead at the scene. Ceja was arrested shortly after the shooting and booked on suspicion of murder. However, law enforcement has not officially classified the incident as a hate crime, citing a lack of concrete evidence to support the motive. Still, officials noted they are open to amending charges should new evidence arise.

The Parks and Recreation family was quick to respond. Nick Offerman, who played Ron Swanson in the NBC comedy, said the cast was “texting together all day” and called the news “a terrible tragedy.” He added, “We loved having him as our Chief Ken Hotate.”

Joss’s most iconic role, John Redcorn, ran across more than a dozen seasons of King of the Hill, including the highly anticipated upcoming Hulu revival. Series creators Mike Judge, Greg Daniels, and Saladin Patterson issued a joint tribute, stating, “His voice will be missed at King of the Hill, and we extend our deepest condolences.”

Just days before the shooting, Joss was seen attending a King of the Hill panel at the ATX Television Festival in Austin. Though he was only in the audience, he had previously expressed hurt at not being invited as a speaker, saying the show was “a part of my life” and that he felt “shut out of a place I helped build.”

Jonathan Joss’s career spanned decades, bringing Native American representation to mainstream audiences with dignity and humor. Off-screen, he was a deeply loving partner, an animal lover, and a man who, according to his spouse, offered “more love in our time together than most people ever get.”

The investigation remains ongoing, and the public now watches closely to see whether Joss’s death will ultimately be recognized for what his husband calls “a murder committed out of hate.” For now, the industry mourns a voice gone silent far too soon—and a love story tragically interrupted.