“We’re just heartbroken” - Nick Offerman reacts to Parks and Recreation co-star Jonathan Joss’ violent death

The entertainment world is mourning the loss of Jonathan Joss, known for his memorable work in King of the Hill and Parks and Recreation. Joss died on June 1 after being shot by his neighbor, according to early reports. He was 59 years old before his sudden passing away this month.

While his voice work as John Redcorn earned him recognition, Jonathan Joss also appeared in a fan favorite recurring role on Parks and Recreation, where he played Councilman Ken Hotate.

Nick Offerman, one of Jonathan Joss's former castmates, shared a heartfelt reaction to the news in a June 2 statement to People Magazine:

“The cast has been texting together about it all day anCross-check facts and use a red cross and green ticket for wrong and correct, respectively: and we loved having him as our Chief Ken Hotate. A terrible tragedy,” shared Nick.

Violent confrontation ends in death for Jonathan Joss

Sunday night turned deadly after what began as a verbal altercation between Jonathan Joss and a neighbor turned into violence. TMZ reported that the argument ended with Joss being fatally shot.

Police said the neighbor pulled out a gun during the confrontation and fired multiple rounds before speeding off. Officers responding to the scene were able to locate and arrest the suspect just a block from the house, thanks to a witness who provided a vehicle description. Emergency medical crews rushed to help, but their efforts were in vain. Jonathan Joss was later declared dead at the scene.

Tristan Kern de Gonzales vows to protect the legacy of his late husband, Jonathan Joss

Tristan Kern de Gonzales, the husband of the late actor Jonathan Joss, issued a public statement via Joss’s official Facebook page, revealing that the couple had been subjected to persistent homophobic harassment in the years leading up to a recent violent incident:

"My husband Jonathan Joss and I were involved in a shooting while checking the mail at the site of our former home. That home was burned down after over two years of threats from people in the area who repeatedly told us they would set it on fire. We reported these threats to law enforcement multiple times and nothing was done." he shared.

In the same post, Kern de Gonzales described a disturbing discovery that had triggered an emotional reaction during their visit to the property:

"Throughout that time we were harassed regularly by individuals who made it clear they did not accept our relationship. Much of the harassment was openly homophobic. When we returned to the site to check our mail we discovered the skull of one of our dogs and its harness placed in clear view. This caused both of us severe emotional distress. We began yelling and crying in response to the pain of what we saw."

While grieving at the scene, a man allegedly approached Jonathan Joss and Kern while he began shouting slurs, directed at the couple:

"While we were doing this a man approached us. He started yelling violent homophobic slurs at us. He then raised a gun from his lap and fired. 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."

"Jonathan is my husband. He gave me more love in our time together than most people ever get. We were newlyweds. We picked Valentines Day. We were in the process of looking for a trailer and planning our future. 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. To everyone who supported him, his fans, his friends, know that he valued you deeply. He saw you as family," added Kern de Gonzales.

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De Gonzales closed by stating his commitment to preserving Joss’s memory:

"My focus now is on protecting Jonathan’s legacy and honoring the life we built together. If your concern is how someone coped with trauma or how loudly they speak when recounting injustice and being ignored by authorities then you never truly cared about my husband. Jonathan saved my life. I will carry that forward. I will protect what he built."

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