In the late hours of June 1, 2025, the entertainment industry was shocked by the untimely death of popular Native American TV actor, and star of “King of the Hill” and “Parks and Recreation“, Joss, 59, was fatally shot outside his former home on Dorsey Drive in San Antonio, Texas, in an incident that has left fans, colleagues, and the local community grappling with grief and questions. The suspect, 56-year-old neighbor Sigfredo Ceja Alvarez, Jonathan Joss. was taken into custody at the scene and charged with first-degree murder for allegedly admitting, “I shot him”.
Jonathan Joss, born December 22, 1965, in San Antonio, Texas, was a proud actor of Comanche and White Mountain Apache descent. He rose to fame voicing John Redcorn, a Native American character in the animated series “King of the Hill,” from seasons 2 to 13, taking over after the original actor’s death in 1996. Joss also portrayed Chief Ken Hotate in “Parks and Recreation,” bringing humor and depth to the role of a fictional tribal leader. His performances were celebrated for their authenticity, challenging stereotypes and enhancing Native American representation in mainstream media. Joss’s career extended to films like “The Magnificent Seven” and “True Grit,” and TV shows such as “Walker, Texas Ranger” and “Ray Donovan”. Colleagues, including Aubrey Plaza, praised his improvisational talent, noting, “He is so funny”.
The tragedy took place when Joss and his husband, Tristan Kern, went to their previous home on Dorsey Drive to retrieve letters. They had lost their home in a January 2025 fire, and their pets were also victims. At the property, they encountered the remains of one of their dogs, an event of immense emotional pain. This resulted in an altercation with Alvarez.
Witnesses reported seeing Joss arguing with someone in a car before gunshots rang out. De Gonzales stated that Alvarez approached, yelling homophobic slurs, before firing a rifle. Joss heroically pushed his husband out of the way, saving his life but succumbing to his injuries. Police at about 7 p.m. tried to administer first aid and declared Joss dead at the site. Alvarez was arrested promptly and confessed to having shot the victim.
The altercation was not a singular incident but the culmination of a series of long-standing differences between Alvarez and Joss. San Antonio police records reveal nearly 50 calls to Joss’s property over 17 months, with over 60 calls since September 2023, including 13 neighbor-related disturbances, one involving a gun and another a knife.
In June 2024, Alvarez accused Joss of threatening him with a crossbow, and neighbors reported Joss walking the neighborhood with a pitchfork. A dramatic episode occurred on October 10, 2023, when Joss stood in the street holding a rifle, resulting in three weapons being confiscated and his hospitalization for evaluation. These incidents depict a stormy relationship punctuated by charges of harassment.
Sigfredo Ceja Alvarez is charged with first-degree murder for the death of Joss. On June 3, 2025, he posted a $200,000 bond and was released under strict conditions, including full house arrest with an ankle monitor, random drug and alcohol testing, a prohibition on possessing firearms, and no contact with Joss’s family. His pre-trial hearing is scheduled for August 19, 2025. The Bexar County Court is overseeing the case, and Alvarez’s attorney has not yet commented publicly.
The entertainment industry and fans have mourned Joss’s loss deeply. Chris Pratt and Nick Offerman, co-stars from “Parks and Recreation,” expressed heartbreak, with Offerman noting Joss’s kindness . Joss’s advocacy for Native American representation resonated widely, with his roles breaking stereotypes and promoting cultural understanding.
