Neighbor indicted for murdering actor Jonathan Joss after alleged years of threats; police say no evidence classifies case as hate crime.
A Texas man has been indicted in the shooting death of King of the Hill actor Jonathan Joss, months after the beloved performer was killed outside his San Antonio home.
Sigfredo Ceja Alvarez, 57, was indicted on one count of murder by a Bexar County grand jury on Monday, Nov. 17, according to court records. Alvarez was initially arrested in June on a first-degree murder charge before being released on a $200,000 bond.
Joss — legally known as Jonathan Joss Gonzales — died at age 59 on June 1 after he was shot while checking his mail. Best known for voicing John Redcorn on the popular animated series, Joss was also widely recognized for roles in Parks and Recreation, True Grit, Ray Donovan, and Tulsa King.
According to police, officers responded to a report of a shooting in progress around 7 p.m. and found Joss lying near the roadway. Investigators identified Alvarez as his neighbor. Joss’ husband, Tristan Kern de Gonzales, told authorities he witnessed the shooting and claimed Alvarez had threatened the couple for years because of Joss’ sexuality.
Gonzales said their home had previously burned down after what he described as repeated homophobic harassment.
In a statement posted to Joss’ Facebook page, Gonzales wrote that the couple had reported threats to law enforcement “multiple times and nothing was done.” He said those targeting them were “openly homophobic.”
Police said Alvarez fled the scene but later admitted to killing Joss when he was detained, telling investigators he “intentionally and knowingly discharged a weapon” at the actor.
The police report states the weapon used was a rifle. Another witness reported seeing Joss and Alvarez arguing shortly before the shooting.
Just two days before his death, Joss appeared at the ATX TV Festival during a panel for the upcoming King of the Hill revival, where he revealed his home had burned down months earlier “because I’m gay.”
Despite the allegations of hate-motivated harassment, a San Antonio Police Department public information officer said their investigation found “no evidence whatsoever” to classify the killing as a hate crime.
Alvarez’s attorney has argued his client acted in self-defense, telling KSAT in June that “people in Texas have a right not to be a victim.” The attorney added they believe the law supports Alvarez’s claim.
