Kirby Lee-Imagn Images/NBC
Chris Pratt is being criticized for his seemingly tepid response to the death of actor Jonathan Joss, who was killed in a shooting in Texas over the weekend. Pratt knew Joss from his time working on the hit NBC sitcom Parks and Recreation.
Jonathan Joss was fatally shot in San Antonio, Texas on Sunday and pronounced dead at the scene at the age of 59-years-old. Joss, an actor, was known for playing Chief Ken Hotate on Parks and Rec and voicing John Redcorn on the animated series King of the Hill.
Chris Pratt famously got his big break on Parks and Rec by playing the character Andy Dwyer.
“The investigation into Joss’ death is still ongoing, but the shooter was detained at the scene and booked for murder. In a statement on Joss’ Facebook page, the actor’s husband, Tristan Kern de Gonzales, alleged that he and Joss were targets of homophobic harassment and that their house burned down ‘after over two years of threats from people in the area who repeatedly told us they would set it on fire.'” [via Variety]
“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,” Joss’ husband posted on Facebook.
After hearing news of Joss’ death, Pratt posted a tribute to his former Parks and Rec co-star on his Instagram story.
“Damn. RIP Jonathan. Always a kind dude. He played Ken Hotate in ‘Parks’ and was also in ‘Magnificent 7.’ Sad to see. Prayers up. Hug your loved ones,” Pratt posted on social media.
Give the nature of Joss’ death, however, Pratt is now facing criticism for his seemingly tepid response to the tragedy.
this guy sucks https://t.co/CD6VOvZ1a8
— jourdain searles (@judysquirrels) June 3, 2025
“prayers up” for a victim of a homophobic hate crime is crazy work https://t.co/1KNfxU1VsC
— reagan 🍁 (@buffyspeak) June 3, 2025
Did this mf just say “damn rip” to a brutal murder https://t.co/UqbjO2eLSg
— woop (@woop54) June 3, 2025
While Joss’ husband, who survived the shooting, claims that the murder suspect yelled “violent homophobic slurs” before shooting, San Antonio police say that have not found any evidence “to indicate that Mr. Joss’ murder was related to his sexual orientation.” 56-year-old Sigfredo Ceja Alvarez was arrested and charged with Joss’ murder.