Police revise statement, now consider hate crime in the murder of actor Jonathan Joss.

San Antonio police have revised their earlier position regarding the fatal shooting of actor Jonathan Joss, admitting that their assertion it was not a hate crime was “way, way premature.” This admission was made by Police Chief William McManus during a press conference where he characterized the department’s initial statement as hasty, noting there was insufficient evidence at the time to conclude the motive behind the shooting.

Joss, celebrated for his roles in popular television series such as “King of the Hill” and “Parks and Recreation,” was shot and killed on Sunday evening while visiting the site of his former home south of San Antonio. Emergency responders arrived on the scene to find the 59-year-old actor lying in the roadway. Despite attempts to administer life-saving measures, he was pronounced dead shortly thereafter.

Investigations into the shooting indicate that Joss had been involved in a longstanding dispute with his neighbor, Sigfredo Ceja Alvarez. Witness testimonies have suggested that tensions between the two escalated prior to the tragic event. Joss’s husband, Tristan Kern de Gonzales, has publicly stated that Alvarez had harassed them for years, attributing the motive for the killing to underlying homophobia.

In a statement on social media, de Gonzales asserted that Joss was a victim of a hate crime, lamenting the years of perceived negligence from law enforcement in addressing the threats they faced. He expressed frustration over what he views as a failure of the police to protect marginalized communities even after seeking help and reporting incidents.

Alvarez was apprehended shortly after the shooting and has been charged with murder. It is important to note that he has yet to face charges specifically related to a hate crime. Chief McManus clarified that in Texas, hate crimes are not classified as separate offenses, but rather the intent behind the crime can be considered during sentencing if a conviction occurs. He acknowledged that Joss’s death has raised alarm within the local LGBTQ+ community.

An ongoing investigation aims to thoroughly explore the circumstances leading to the shooting and the motivations behind it. Chief McManus disclosed that the couple had been involved in a variety of disputes with multiple neighbors over the years, with police records indicating approximately 70 disturbance calls tied to Joss, either as a victim or as an individual of interest.

Alvarez secured his release from jail on a 0,000 bond on Monday night and is currently awaiting indictment. The San Antonio Police Department continues to face scrutiny as they navigate the sensitive details surrounding this tragic case and the larger implications for community safety and support for LGBTQ+ individuals.

The investigation remains active, with authorities determined to uncover the motivations behind this high-profile incident.