Fans of King of the Hill are mourning the loss of Jonathan Joss, the voice behind the iconic character John Redcorn, after he was tragically shot and killed by a neighbor in San Antonio. The 59-year-old actor, beloved for his portrayals of Native American characters, died Sunday evening following what authorities described as a heated altercation.
San Antonio police confirmed on Monday that the suspect, 56-year-old Sigfredo Ceja Alvarez, was arrested at the scene and has been charged with murder. The incident took place around 7 p.m. on the city’s south side. While the motive remains unclear, Joss’s husband, Tristan Kern de Gonzales, described the shooting as a hate-fueled attack, claiming Alvarez had repeatedly harassed them in the past.
In a statement posted to Joss’s Facebook page, Kern de Gonzales wrote, “He started yelling violent homophobic slurs at us. He then raised a gun from his lap and fired.” He also said the couple had returned to the site of their former home, which burned down earlier this year, when the shooting happened.
Authorities, however, have pushed back against the hate crime claim. A police spokesperson stated there is currently “no evidence whatsoever” linking the shooting to Joss’s sexual orientation, though they assured the public that the case remains open to further findings.
First responders found Joss near the street and attempted emergency treatment, but he was declared dead at the scene. Details regarding the exact number of gunshot wounds have not been released by the Bexar County Medical Examiner.
Alvarez remains in custody on a $200,000 bond. At the time of reporting, it was unknown whether he had legal representation.
Joss, who was of Apache and Comanche heritage, spent nearly three decades bringing Native American characters to life on screen. Beyond his long-running role on King of the Hill, he played Chief Ken Hotate in Parks and Recreation and appeared in popular shows such as Ray Donovan, Tulsa King, Walker, Texas Ranger, and Friday Night Lights. His film credits include a role in the Coen brothers’ True Grit.
Earlier this year, Joss experienced a personal tragedy when his home was destroyed in a fire, which also claimed the life of a pet dog. Speaking to local news at the time, he shared that the house had been left without utilities due to repeated vandalism and suggested he may have accidentally caused the blaze.
After the fire, fans rallied to support Joss with a GoFundMe campaign that has seen renewed activity following the news of his death.
Born and raised in San Antonio, Joss earned a fine arts degree from Our Lady of the Lake University and was preparing to return as John Redcorn in the much-anticipated Hulu revival of King of the Hill, scheduled for release this August.
