Jonathan Joss was fatally shot after an argument with his neighbor.
Beloved voice actor Jonathan Joss, known for his role as John Redcorn in King of the Hill, was fatally shot Sunday evening in San Antonio, Texas. Authorities say the tragedy unfolded after a heated argument with a neighbor turned violent.
Police responded around 7 p.m. to a report of gunfire outside a residence. When they arrived, they discovered Joss lying near the road with multiple gunshot wounds. Officers immediately attempted to revive him, but he was pronounced dead at the scene.
The alleged shooter, a neighbor whose identity remains undisclosed, fled the area in a vehicle but was captured just a block away. He has since been charged with first-degree murder, and his bond has been set at $200,000. The first court hearing is scheduled for August.
Ongoing Tensions and Tragic Outcome
Joss’s husband, Tristan Kern de Gonzales, took to Facebook to share disturbing details leading up to the shooting. According to his post, the couple had endured over two years of harassment from people in their neighborhood. He described repeated threats and homophobic abuse that escalated to their house being burned down.
“We were checking the mail at the site of our former home,” de Gonzales wrote. “We found the skull and harness of one of our dogs placed visibly. The pain of that discovery overwhelmed us.”
As the couple stood grieving, a man reportedly approached and shouted homophobic slurs. Without warning, he allegedly pulled a gun from his lap and opened fire.
“Jonathan had no weapon. He pushed me out of the way. He saved my life,” de Gonzales said.
A Voice That Brought Characters to Life
Joss was a long-time fan favorite for his portrayal of John Redcorn in King of the Hill, a role he voiced from Season 2 through Season 13. He had already completed recording for the show’s upcoming Season 14, set to premiere on Hulu this August.
The show’s creators, Mike Judge, Greg Daniels, and Saladin Patterson, released a heartfelt statement:
“Jonathan Joss brought John Redcorn to life for over a dozen seasons. His voice will be missed dearly.”
Joss had also taken over the character after original actor Victor Aaron died in a car accident in 1996.
Jonathan Joss as Chief Ken Hotate in Parks and Recreation’
Remembering a Gentle Soul
Beyond animation, Joss appeared in various acclaimed shows and films, including Parks and Recreation, Tulsa King, Ray Donovan, True Grit, and The Magnificent Seven.
Nick Offerman, who worked with Joss on Parks and Recreation, expressed his sorrow to People magazine:
“This is a terrible tragedy. We’re heartbroken. Jonathan was such a sweet guy.”
As fans and colleagues grieve the loss, the investigation continues. The motive behind the killing may stretch far deeper than a simple neighborhood feud. What’s clear is that the entertainment world has lost a powerful voice—and a courageous man who died protecting the one he loved.
