Chris Pratt and Nick Offerman paid tribute to their “Parks and Recreation” castmate Jonathan Joss following the actor’s death this week.
Joss was fatally shot in front of his San Antonio, Texas, home on Sunday by one of his neighbors, police said. He was 59.
The actor had a recurring role as Chief Ken Hotate in the hit NBC sitcom.
“Damn. RIP Jonathan. Always such a kind dude,” Pratt, who had his breakthrough role as Andy Dwyer in the series, wrote on his Instagram story on Monday. “Sad to see. Prayers up. Hug your loved ones.”
Offerman, who starred in “Parks and Recreation” as Ron Swanson, told People magazine on Tuesday that he and other co-stars have been in contact since Joss’ death.
“The cast has been texting together about it all day and we’re just heartbroken,” Offerman said. “Jonathan was such a sweet guy and we loved having him as our Chief Ken Hotate. A terrible tragedy.”
“Sex and the City” star Cynthia Nixon, who was not on the sitcom, also paid her respects to Joss. She shared an image of the late actor on Instagram on Tuesday.
“Was devastated to learn of the killing last night of the wonderfully talented actor and musician Jonathan Joss, who my family and I enjoyed so much in Parks and Recreation,” she wrote.
Nixon also repeated claims by Joss’ husband that the actor was targeted because of his sexuality.
“We will not let this stand,” she said.
The San Antonio Police Department said in a statement on Monday there was “no evidence” that Joss’ killing was motivated by hate, but said the suspect would be charged accordingly “should any new evidence come to light.”
Conversations with Joss’ neighbors and several police reports of prior incidents between Joss and the man arrested for his killing — Sigfredo Alvarez Ceja — paint a complicated picture of what led to the fatal shooting.
Joss and Ceja were in a heated back and forth for years that was being mediated by a police crime prevention unit, according to police records and statements shared with NBC News.
Ceja could not be reached for comment. The 56-year-old does not have a lawyer, according to the Bexar County District Clerk’s Office.
In addition to his role on “Parks and Recreation,” Joss was also known for his role as John Redcorn in Fox’s animated sitcom “King of the Hill.” The animated series was rebooted and will premiere on Hulu in August, with Joss returning as Redcorn
