Jonathan Joss’ murder case has rocked San Antonio, and now the police department is doing damage control.
After a controversial statement claiming there was no evidence of a hate crime, Police Chief William McManus is walking it back. During a press conference on June 5, McManus admitted that the initial dismissal of a hate crime motive in the shooting death of Joss was rushed and wrong.
“That was way, way, way premature,” he said. “Shouldn’t have done it. It was way too soon before we had any real information.” The backlash was swift, especially from the LGBTQ+ community, who were already mourning the sudden and violent loss of the Parks and Recreation star. “We understand that many in the LGBTQ+ community are feeling anxious and concerned,” McManus added. “A lot of it has to do with that premature statement.”
Jonathan Joss was killed on June 1, shot near his home in San Antonio. Police responded to the scene around 7 p.m. and found the 52-year-old actor lying near the road with gunshot wounds from a rifle. He was pronounced dead at the scene. The shooter, 56-year-old neighbor Sigfredo Ceja Alvarez, was detained at the scene and reportedly told police, “I shot him.” He has been charged with first-degree murder but was released the next day under house arrest on a $200,000 bond.
Originally, on June 3, SAPD stated they had “thoroughly reviewed all available information” and found no link to Joss’ sexual orientation. But Joss’ husband, Tristan Kern de Gonzales, pushed back. In a Facebook post, Gonzales claimed the couple had faced years of harassment from neighbors and said the shooter was “yelling violent homophobic slurs” during the attack.
McManus addressed that too, clarifying that in Texas, hate crimes aren’t filed as separate charges-they’re enhancements. “We gather the facts and we give those facts to the District Attorney’s office, and then that hate crime designation is determined at sentencing,” he explained.
He also confirmed that police had received around 70 calls involving neighborhood disturbances over the past two years, with multiple interventions from SAPD’s mental health and safety units. “Our units made repeated efforts to mediate conflicts and connect Mr. Joss with services he may have needed,” McManus noted, while being cautious not to release too much that might impact the upcoming legal process.
One of the most disturbing developments came from Gonzales’ claim that their home-located on the same property where the shooting happened-had previously burned down in what he believes was arson. McManus said the case is still active, and SAPD is working closely with arson investigators to figure out if there’s a connection between the fire and the murder.
In light of everything, and with Pride Month underway, the SAPD has planned a community forum to be held the same evening, aiming to ease concerns and reconnect with a community that feels deeply hurt and targeted. “Please know that your safety and trust matter deeply to us,” McManus said.
The case is still evolving, but one thing’s for sure-it’s far from over, and the fight for justice for Jonathan Joss is just beginning.
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