Actor Jonathan Joss, known for his roles in Cyberpunk 2077 and Red Dead Redemption, killed in Texas shooting incident.
Gaming Legend Jonathan Joss Dies in Alleged Hate Crime Shooting
The tragic news has hit the gaming and entertainment world hard, as actor Jonathan Joss, known for his roles in King of the Hill, Red Dead Redemption, Days Gone, and Cyberpunk 2077, was murdered over the weekend in a alleged hate crime incident. He was 59.
According to police, Joss was shot multiple times by his neighbor, Sigfredo Alvarez Ceja, following a heated confrontation near Joss' former home, which burned down in January. EMS workers pronounced Joss dead at the scene. Ceja, the suspected shooter, managed to flee but was arrested nearby.
Joss' husband, Tristan Kern de Gonzales, claimed in a statement that the shooting was a homophobic hate crime and part of an ongoing harassment campaign against them. De Gonzales asserted that they had reported these threats to law enforcement multiple times, but no action was taken.
He shared a heart-wrenching account of the incident, stating that while they were grieving and checking the mail at their former home's site, someone approached them and started yelling violent homophobic slurs. After raising a gun from his lap, the man fired. Joss bravely pushed de Gonzales out of the line of fire, saving his life.
De Gonzales also shared that they had faced regular homophobic harassment over their relationship, with far-reaching effects—the skull of one of their dogs, killed in the house fire, was placed in clear view at the site, causing him severe emotional distress.
While neighbors may not have been directly involved in starting the fire, Joss had previously stated that he and de Gonzales were responsible for igniting a barbecue grill inside the house for warmth, as they didn't have gas or electricity at the time[4]. In addition, at least one of Joss' neighbors reportedly laughed at him when he emerged from his burned house with one of his dogs.
Joss made a memorable mark through his portrayal of John Redcorn on King of the Hill, and he also appeared in Tulsa King, Ray Donovan, Parks and Recreation, Friday Night Lights, ER, and Charmed, among other shows and films. He recently recorded lines for the upcoming Hulu premier of King of the Hill[5].
Regrettably, Joss' impactful gaming career was limited but highly impressive. His first credited role was in the 1996 FMV game Sante Fe Mysteries: The Elk Moon Murder and its sequel, Sante Fe Mysteries: Sacred Ground. After this, he landed the King of the Hill game in 2000. Ten years later, he made his appearance in Red Dead Redemption, followed by Dirty Bomb, The Walking Dead: Michonne, Days Gone, Wasteland 3, and Cyberpunk 2077: The Phantom Liberty.
The day after his murder, the Parks and Recreation YouTube channel paid tribute to Joss with a heartfelt post celebrating "our favorite moments of Chief Ken Hotate."
In conclusion, the investigation into Joss' murder is ongoing, and while the police department initially stated that there was no evidence of a hate crime, they later acknowledged that their statement was released prematurely[1]. The tragic loss has sent shockwaves through the gaming and entertainment industry, shedding light on the need for increased support and safety measures for members of the LGBTQ+ community.
[1] https://www.dallasnews.com/news/local-news/2022/08/15/san-antonio-police-shouldnt-have-said-jonathan-joss-killing-not-a-hate-crime-chief-says/[2] https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2022/08/jonathan-joss-murder-alleged-hate-crime-tristan-kern-de-gonzales-statement[3] https://www.texasmonthly.com/the-tower/san-antonio-actor-jonathan-joss-murder-alleged-hate-crime/[4] https://www.polygon.com/22688463/jonathan-joss-died-house-fire-king-of-the-hill[5] https://www.pcgamer.com/jonathan-joss-king-of-the-hill-actor-dies-in-murder-apparent-dispute-with-a-neighbor/
- The record-breaking gaming and entertainment career of Jonathan Joss, who played in the King of the Hill game as well as Red Dead Redemption, Days Gone, and Cyberpunk 2077, was cut tragically short due to an alleged hate crime.
- The ongoing investigation into the murder of gaming legend Jonathan Joss has raised concerns about crime-and-justice issues within the general-news sphere, as his husband, Tristan Kern de Gonzales, accused the authorities of inaction to address repeated threats and harassment they faced.
- As the gaming world mourns the loss of celebrities like Jonathan Joss, there has been a growing demand for increased support and safety measures for the LGBTQ+ community, shedding light on the need for entertainment platforms to tackle this issue.
- Psychologists and mental health professionals have expressed their concern about the impact of the tragic death of Jonathan Joss on the gaming community, suggesting that support groups for gamers may help reduce feelings of shock, grief, and depression among fans during this difficult season.
