Investigators are currently probing the potential impact of Jonathan Joss’s sexual orientation, the voice actor known for King of the Hill, in his fatal shooting in Texas, as stated by authorities on Thursday. This inquiry follows a previous assertion about the motive behind the incident being revisited.
The husband of Joss has reported that prior to the shooting outside their San Antonio residence on Sunday night, the assailant hurled “violent homophobic slurs” at the actor. A day after the tragic event, the San Antonio police initially stated that there was no proof linking Joss’s sexual orientation to the crime.
However, during a press conference on Thursday, San Antonio Police Chief William McManus acknowledged that the prior statement was premature and that the role of Joss’s sexual orientation in the shooting is now a focal point of the investigation. Chief McManus admitted that the premature statement had caused distress among many in the LGBTQ+ community, emphasizing the tragedy of Joss’s loss being profoundly felt within that community.
Although Texas does not have specific hate crime charges, if homophobia is determined to have been a motivating factor in the shooting, it could lead to a more severe sentence under the state’s hate crimes legislation. The decision on a hate crime designation will be made during sentencing based on the facts presented.
Joss’s husband, Tristan Kern de Gonzales, revealed that they had encountered previous instances of harassment, predominantly characterized by open homophobia, including an incident where their home burned down in January. The neighbor, Sigfredo Ceja Alvarez, accused of Joss’s murder, has been released on a $200,000 US bond.
Notably, police records indicate around 70 calls made to Joss’s residence and surrounding neighborhood over the past two years concerning various disturbances. The San Antonio Police Department’s mental health unit and the SAFFE unit had been actively involved in mediating conflicts and providing support to Joss.
The investigation into the January fire at Joss’s residence, where he lost all his possessions and his three dogs perished, is still ongoing. Colleagues, friends, and fans have paid tribute to Joss, particularly those who worked with him on King of the Hill. The show’s creators and producers expressed their condolences, highlighting the impact of Joss’ voice work on the series and his upcoming involvement in the show’s revival set to premiere later this summer.