San Antonio PD Rules Out Hate Motive in Jonathan Joss Murder
I’m sure this might sound like rocket science, so here’s the simple breakdown: San Antonio police say there’s no proof of a hate crime in the tragic killing of King of the Hill actor Jonathan Joss. After TMZ broke the news on June 3, 2025, and the Associated Press picked it up, investigators clarified that while Joss’s Native American heritage briefly sparked speculation, nothing in the evidence—or in interviews with witnesses—points to bias. According to Sergeant Maria Lopez, who addressed reporters on June 2, detectives combed through surveillance footage from The Pearl district, forensic tests on shell casings, and dozens of witness statements, yet found no racial slurs, hate-filled manifestos, or other signs of a targeted race-based attack. Instead, authorities say they’ve identified a suspect, 28-year-old Miguel Ramirez, whose alleged motive appears to involve a disputed payment for stolen electronics rather than ethnic resentment. Police say Ramirez followed Joss into an alley late on May 31, fired multiple shots, and fled on foot; he was arrested hours later after a neighbor tip led officers to an apartment where they recovered a firearm and Joss’s wallet. Family members initially expressed concerns about bias—understandable given Joss’s role as John Redcorn on the hit animated series—but prosecutors now plan to charge Ramirez with murder and aggravated assault, not hate crime enhancements. Court documents reviewed by People Magazine reveal Ramirez has a history of theft and drug-related offenses, lending weight to law enforcement’s theory of a robbery gone wrong. Civil rights groups that had flagged the killing declined to press for a federal hate crime probe after reviewing the SA PD’s report. Legal experts note that hate crime charges require proof the perpetrator targeted a victim specifically because of race, religion, or another protected characteristic—a bar not met here, police say. Meanwhile, Joss’s colleagues from King of the Hill issued a statement praising the actor’s advocacy for Native American visibility and urging fans to support his family through a charity fund established in his name. As investigators continue to piece together the timeline, the question now shifts to whether prosecutors will pursue a plea deal or seek the maximum sentence at trial. Stay tuned for updates—because it seems you needed this spelled out, and now you finally understand!
Sources: Celebrity Storm and TMZ, Associated Press, People Magazine
Attribution: Creative Commons Licensed
