Investigators in Texas are reconsidering the potential role of the sexual orientation of Jonathan Joss, a voice actor, in his shooting death. While authorities initially stated there was no evidence linking his murder to his sexual identity, they later admitted this conclusion was premature. Witnesses reported that the assailant shouted homophobic slurs before the attack. The police chief acknowledged the heightened anxiety among the LGBTQ+ community due to initial misleading statements, emphasizing the importance of investigating all potential motives for the crime, which could affect sentencing under hate crimes laws.
"The police chief said many in the LGBTQ+ community are feeling anxious and concerned after Joss's shooting and that a lot of it has to do with that premature statement."
"If homophobia is found to have been a motive in the shooting, that could result in a harsher sentence at trial under the state's hate crimes law."
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