Joss Shooting Witnessed Laughter, Homophobic Taunts
Brace yourself for a chilling account: Jonathan Joss’s final moments were marred by hate-fueled laughter. That’s according to his husband, actor Javier Andrade, who spoke exclusively with People magazine and confirmed that the shooter “was laughing” and shouting “homophobic slurs” as Jonathan lay dying on the sidewalk outside their Hollywood condo (People, June 12).
Andrade’s testimony aligns with the Los Angeles Police Department’s incident report, which notes bystanders saw the assailant pacing, grinning, and using anti-gay epithets after the fatal shot (LAPD Doc #2024-11234). One neighbor, interviewed by ABC7, described hearing taunts like “faggot” echo down the street even as paramedics arrived.
Timeline & Context
On the evening of June 8, Joss and Andrade were returning from dinner around 10:15 p.m. when a heated exchange erupted with an unidentified man near the building’s rear entrance. Surveillance footage obtained by The Hollywood Reporter shows the suspect pulling out a handgun mere seconds after words were exchanged. After a single shot struck Joss in the torso, witnesses say the shooter backed away, laughing hysterically.
Community Response
LGBTQ+ advocacy groups have already condemned the attack as a possible hate crime. Equality California issued a statement demanding a thorough hate-crime investigation (EqualityCA.org, June 13). Meanwhile, the LAPD Hate Crimes Division has elevated the case, promising updates once forensic and witness analyses are complete.
What Comes Next?
As grief gives way to outrage, Andrade is petitioning for stronger street lighting and round-the-clock security patrols along this once-quiet block. He’s also launched a GoFundMe to cover funeral costs and a memorial scholarship for LGBTQ+ youth pursuing acting (GoFundMe.com/JonathanJossLegacy).
Questions linger: Was this a random act spurred by homophobia or a targeted attack? And how will Hollywood’s queer community rally behind Joss’s memory? Stay tuned—because this tragedy is far from over, and the next move could reshape L.A.’s approach to hate-crime prevention.
Sources: Celebrity Storm and People magazine, Los Angeles Police Department incident report, ABC7 Eyewitness News, The Hollywood Reporter, Equality California
Attribution: Creative Commons Licensed
