Chris Pratt pays tribute to Jonathan Joss after fatal shooting, following the actor’s death at 59 in San Antonio on Sunday during a violent incident involving his neighbor. The tragedy happened on Joss’s property and has raised concerns about longstanding homophobic harassment, according to those close to the situation.
Chris Pratt and Colleagues Remember Jonathan Joss
Chris Pratt, known for his role on Parks and Recreation alongside Jonathan Joss, reacted publicly after hearing about Joss’s death. Sharing a screenshot of Joss’s obituary with an image of Joss as Chief Ken Hotate, Pratt expressed his sadness, stating,
“Damn. RIP Jonathan. Always such a kind dude,”
—Chris Pratt, Actor. He further added,
“Sad to see. Prayers up. Hug your loved ones.”
—Chris Pratt, Actor.
Nick Offerman, another Parks and Recreation co-star, addressed the loss, saying,
“The cast has been texting together about it all day and we’re just heartbroken.”
—Nick Offerman, Actor. Offerman continued,
“Jonathan was such a sweet guy and we loved having him as our Chief Ken Hotate. A terrible tragedy.”
—Nick Offerman, Actor.
Details Surrounding the Incident
Jonathan Joss, whose work included a five-season run on Parks and Recreation as well as voice roles on King of the Hill, was shot on Sunday just before 7 p.m. Authorities arrived quickly and attempted to save him, but paramedics pronounced Joss dead at the scene.
According to police reports, the neighbor involved, Sigfredo Alvarez Cejam, left the area following the shooting but was apprehended soon after and booked on suspicion of murder. The investigation into what transpired remains active, with authorities seeking further details.
Alleged Harassment Prior to the Shooting
Joss’s husband, Tristan Kern de Gonzales, described years of escalating harassment leading up to the deadly encounter. He claimed the dispute had been growing, marked by incidents of open hostility due to the couple’s relationship. In a statement posted to Joss’s Facebook, Gonzales wrote that their house had burned down three months earlier
“after over two years of threats,”
—Tristan Kern de Gonzales, Husband, which he said were repeatedly ignored by law enforcement.
Reflecting on the pattern of behavior, Gonzales shared,
“Throughout that time we were harassed regularly by individuals who made it clear they did not accept our relationship,”
—Tristan Kern de Gonzales, Husband, and noted,
“Much of the harassment was openly homophobic.”
—Tristan Kern de Gonzales, Husband.
Events on the Day of the Shooting
Gonzales recounted the events leading to the fatal shooting, beginning when he and Joss arrived at their property to collect mail and discovered evidence of animal cruelty. He described seeing
“the skull of one of our dogs and its harness placed in clear view,”
—Tristan Kern de Gonzales, Husband, which caused them severe emotional distress. The pair responded with visible grief, prompting a confrontation.
“We began yelling and crying in response to the pain of what we saw,”
—Tristan Kern de Gonzales, Husband. At that moment, according to Gonzales, the neighbor confronted them,
“He started yelling violent homophobic slurs at us. He then raised a gun from his lap and fired.”
—Tristan Kern de Gonzales, Husband. Gonzales maintained that neither he nor Joss was armed or behaving aggressively, explaining,
“Jonathan and I had no weapons. We were not threatening anyone. We were grieving. We were standing side by side. When the man fired, Jonathan pushed me out of the way. He saved my life. … He was murdered by someone who could not stand the sight of two men loving each other.”
—Tristan Kern de Gonzales, Husband.
Jonathan Joss’s Legacy and Next Steps
After Joss’s passing, Gonzales emphasized the deep love and respect shared by the couple and the appreciation Joss held for his supporters:
“I was with him when he passed. I told him how much he was loved,”
—Tristan Kern de Gonzales, Husband. He extended his message to fans and friends, stating,
“To everyone who supported him, his fans, his friends, know that he valued you deeply. He saw you as family. My focus now is on protecting Jonathan’s legacy and honoring the life we built together.”
—Tristan Kern de Gonzales, Husband.
The loss of Jonathan Joss has left a profound impact on his colleagues, friends, and the wider community. The ongoing investigation will determine the legal outcome for Sigfredo Alvarez Cejam. For now, tributes like those from Chris Pratt and Nick Offerman highlight the enduring respect and connection felt by those who worked alongside Joss, as attention turns to addressing concerns about homophobia and the safety of vulnerable communities.
