San Antonio, Texas – June 2, 2025 — Jonathan Joss, best known for voicing John Redcorn in the iconic animated series King of the Hill, was shot and killed outside his San Antonio home in what his husband is calling a homophobic hate crime. He was 59.
The fatal shooting occurred on Sunday night following a confrontation with a neighbor, identified by police as 56-year-old Sigfredo Ceja Alvarez. According to eyewitness reports shared with law enforcement and first reported by TMZ, the altercation quickly escalated. Alvarez allegedly pulled out a firearm and shot Joss multiple times. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Alvarez was apprehended just one block away and is now facing murder charges.
Joss’s husband, Tristan Kern de Gonzales, posted a heartbreaking message from the late actor’s Facebook account, claiming the attack was the culmination of years of targeted harassment. He alleged that the couple had reported multiple threats and incidents of discrimination to police—many of them laced with anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric—but little action was taken.
“We were harassed regularly by individuals who made it clear they did not accept our relationship,” de Gonzales wrote. “Jonathan pushed me out of the way. He saved my life. He was murdered by someone who could not stand the sight of two men loving each other.”
The couple had recently celebrated a milestone in their relationship, marrying on Valentine’s Day. Their joy was short-lived, as the home they once shared was destroyed in a suspicious fire earlier this year—a blaze they believe was set intentionally following ongoing threats.
Jonathan Joss was a respected Native American voice actor and performer with a decades-long career. After taking over the role of John Redcorn in King of the Hill in 1997, Joss lent his voice to the character through the end of the series. He also starred as Chief Ken Hotate in Parks and Recreation and made appearances in acclaimed productions including True Grit, The Magnificent Seven, and most recently Tulsa King.
His sudden death has prompted outrage and grief across the entertainment industry and LGBTQ+ advocacy circles, with calls for a thorough investigation into the motive and systemic failures to address reported harassment.
As tributes pour in, fans and loved ones remember Joss not only for his powerful roles on screen but also for his courage, resilience, and devotion to his partner.