Jonathan Joss, the actor best known for voicing John Redcorn on the animated series King of the Hill and portraying Ken Hotate on Parks and Recreation, has died following a shooting incident in San Antonio, Texas.
He was 59 years old.
According to the San Antonio Police Department, officers responded Sunday to reports of a shooting on Dorsey Drive. They found Joss near the roadway and attempted life-saving measures until paramedics arrived, but he was pronounced dead at the scene.
A suspect has been arrested on suspicion of murder, and an investigation is ongoing.
Joss’ husband, Tristan Kern de Gonzales, confirmed the actor’s death in a text message to the Associated Press. In a statement, de Gonzales revealed that they were threatened by a man with a gun while checking the mail outside their home, which had been damaged by fire earlier this year in January—a fire that tragically killed their three dogs.
“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,” de Gonzales said.
The San Antonio Police Department stated on Monday evening that there is currently no evidence to suggest the murder was related to Joss’ sexual orientation.
In his acting career, Joss portrayed Chief Ken Hotate, a tribal elder and casino owner, on Parks and Recreation. He took over the role of John Redcorn on King of the Hill in the show’s second season after the original voice actor, Victor Aaron, died in a car accident in 1996. Joss continued voicing the character until the show ended.
King of the Hill is being rebooted, with a premiere scheduled for August 4 on Hulu. Joss reportedly participated in the new series. A video recorded just days before his death shows him at a King of the Hill panel and sneak peek event at The Paramount Theatre in Austin, Texas.