Jonathan Joss' widower says shooting was a homophobic attack

Upon returning to their burned-out home, they found the “skull of one of our dogs and its harness placed in clear view,” causing them both “severe emotional distress.” As they grieved, a man approached who “started yelling violent homophobic slurs at us. He then raised his gun from his lap and fired.” As the gunman aimed his weapon, Gonzales continued, Joss pushed his husband out of the way, saving his life. Per TMZ, the suspect, Sigfredo Alvarez Ceja, was arrested on a murder charge.

Gonzales claims that homophobia motivated the crime. Throughout their time living in the neighborhood, the couple was “harassed regularly by individuals who made it clear they did not accept our relationship. Much of the harassment was openly homophobic.”

“Jonathan and I had no weapons,” he continued. “We were not threatening anyone. We were grieving[…]He was murdered by someone who could not stand the sight of two men loving each other. I was with him when he passed. I told him how much he was loved.”

The couple were newlyweds who married on Valentine’s Day and were “looking for a trailer and planning for our future.” Joss was a television actor best known for voicing John Redcorn on King Of The Hill, a role he had recently reprised in the upcoming revival series. He also appeared on Parks And Recreation and Friday Night Lights.

“Jonathan saved my life. I will carry that forward. I will protect what he built.”