Police investigating if homophobia played a role in King of the Hill actor’s killing

Authorities in Texas are investigating the tragic shooting death of Jonathan Joss, the voice actor known for his role as John Redcorn in the animated series King of the Hill. The actor was killed outside his home in San Antonio on Sunday night, with his husband claiming that the assailant hurled violent homophobic slurs before opening fire.

Initially, the San Antonio police stated that there was no evidence to suggest that Joss’s sexual orientation played a role in the shooting. However, during a recent news conference, Police Chief William McManus admitted that the statement was premature and that they are now looking into whether Joss’s sexual orientation was a factor in the attack as part of their investigation.

The LGBTQ+ community has expressed anxiety and concern following Joss’s tragic death, with many feeling the loss deeply. While Texas does not have specific hate crime charges, if homophobia is determined to be a motive in the shooting, it could lead to a harsher sentence under the state’s hate crimes law.

Joss’s husband, Tristan Kern de Gonzales, revealed that they had faced previous incidents of harassment, much of which was openly homophobic. The suspect, Sigfredo Ceja Alvarez, a neighbor of Joss, has been charged with murder in connection with the shooting and has been released on bond.

Over the past two years, the police had been called to Joss’s home and his neighborhood about 70 times for various disturbances. The San Antonio Police Department had engaged with Joss through their mental health unit and a crime prevention unit to mediate conflicts and provide necessary services.

The investigation also includes a review of a fire that destroyed Joss’s home in January, where he lost all his belongings and three dogs were killed. Despite the tragedy, colleagues, friends, and fans have paid tribute to Joss, with the creators and producers of King of the Hill expressing their condolences and acknowledging the actor’s significant contribution to the show.

Joss had recorded lines for the show’s upcoming revival before his untimely death, with the revival set to air later this summer. The legacy of Jonathan Joss and his iconic character, John Redcorn, will undoubtedly be remembered and cherished by fans of the beloved animated series.