Jonathan McKinsey, a transgender New York Times Games executive who was allegedly shot and killed by his in-laws in Dublin, California, had accused them of years of abuse amid a contentious divorce and child custody dispute, according to reports.
McKinsey, 40, was fatally shot Saturday outside the Dublin Sports Grounds. Police quickly arrested his parents-in-law, Shouyong Zhang, 77, and Shili Chen, 77, on suspicion of murder. Investigators have not disclosed what prompted the shooting.
The Mercury News, citing a December 2025 petition McKinsey filed seeking a domestic violence restraining order, reported that he accused his estranged wife, Candice Jang, and her parents of years of abuse. The New York Times separately reported that McKinsey, a transgender man, said the alleged abuse was connected to his gender identity.
According to the newspapers, McKinsey alleged that Chen used anti-LGBTQ slurs against him and one of the couple’s children. He also claimed Jang mistreated him during medical procedures related to his transition and said his father-in-law struck him in the chest while he was recovering from double mastectomy surgery.
Shouyong Zhang, 77, was arrested on suspicion of murder in the fatal shooting of his son-in-law, Jonathan McKinsey, in Dublin, California. (Alameda County Sheriff’s Office)
Court records reviewed by News Media show that McKinsey and Jang were involved in several legal matters when he died, including separate domestic violence restraining order cases, an ongoing child custody dispute and a pending divorce.
The records indicate that Jang requested a domestic violence restraining order against McKinsey in October 2025. McKinsey filed his own petition two months later, and the cases were eventually set for a three-day hearing in December.
Shili Chen, 77, was booked into Santa Rita Jail on suspicion of murder after the fatal shooting of her son-in-law, Jonathan McKinsey, authorities said. (Alameda County Sheriff’s Office)
Separate court records show McKinsey was also facing a misdemeanor child abuse case filed in October 2025. The case alleged child endangerment and corporal injury to a child, with a pretrial hearing scheduled earlier this month.
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The Mercury News reported that Jang made her own allegations during the family court proceedings, accusing McKinsey of domestic violence and child abuse. McKinsey denied those accusations in his restraining-order petition, according to the newspaper.
Jonathan McKinsey, a New York Times Games engineering executive, was shot and killed Saturday afternoon in Dublin, California. His parents-in-law were arrested on suspicion of murder within minutes, authorities said. (Jon McKinsey/Facebook)
Authorities have provided few details about the shooting, saying only that McKinsey was deliberately targeted.
A Dublin Police Services sergeant driving near the sports complex saw McKinsey lying in the parking lot shortly after 3 p.m. Saturday. Officers and paramedics were dispatched immediately.
Jonathan McKinsey, a New York Times Games engineering executive, was shot and killed Saturday afternoon in Dublin, California. His parents-in-law were arrested on suspicion of murder within minutes, authorities said. (Jon McKinsey/Facebook)
With assistance from witnesses, officers detained Zhang and Chen within minutes. Police said the couple stayed near the scene after the shooting.
Both suspects were booked into Santa Rita Jail on suspicion of murder. Jail records show that prosecutors also recommended charges of conspiracy, willful discharge of a firearm and child abuse.
The investigation is continuing. Zhang and Chen are scheduled to be arraigned Wednesday morning in Alameda County.
It was not immediately known whether the defendants had attorneys. Jang also could not immediately be reached for comment.