A California man accused of fatally shooting his transgender son-in-law allegedly confessed after surveillance footage appeared to show him and his wife firing at the victim together in a crowded park, according to newly filed court records.
Shouyong Zhang and Shili Chen, both 77, were charged Wednesday with murder in the death of 40-year-old Jonathan McKinsey. Prosecutors also filed a special-circumstance allegation claiming the couple killed him after lying in wait.
Multiple 911 callers reported hearing gunshots at the Dublin Sports Grounds. When a Dublin Police Services sergeant arrived, McKinsey was found lying on his back with several gunshot wounds. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
According to the filings, witnesses directed officers toward a black Honda Civic leaving the parking lot. Police stopped the vehicle nearby in a high-risk traffic operation.
Jonathan McKinsey, a New York Times Games engineering executive, was shot and killed Saturday afternoon in Dublin, California, and his parents-in-law were arrested on suspicion of murder within minutes, authorities said. (Jon McKinsey/Facebook)
Chen was behind the wheel and allegedly had a gun when officers detained her. Zhang was seated beside her in the passenger seat.
Three witnesses identified Chen and Zhang as the people who opened fire. Investigators also said surveillance footage showed the couple shooting at McKinsey “in concert.”
Authorities said the shooting unfolded in a crowded park parking lot, demonstrating a “blatant disregard for public safety” while several children were in the area.
After her arrest, Chen was taken to police headquarters, where she invoked her Miranda rights and declined to answer questions.
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)
Zhang, by contrast, allegedly agreed to speak with investigators and acknowledged shooting McKinsey.
“During a later interview [with] Zhang, he admitted to shooting the victim,” police wrote in the court document.
A subsequent search of the Honda turned up a second gun. Investigators said Zhang acknowledged using that weapon in the shooting.
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)
The special-circumstance allegation claims Chen and Zhang deliberately killed McKinsey by lying in wait, an accusation that describes an ambush in which the attackers allegedly positioned themselves before seizing an opportunity to strike.
Prosecutors further allege that both Chen and Zhang fired at McKinsey, causing his death.
The criminal complaint says the killing involved “great violence” and conduct reflecting a “high degree of cruelty, viciousness, or callousness.” It also alleges that both defendants were armed or used a weapon during the attack.
Jonathan McKinsey, a New York Times Games engineering executive, was shot and killed Saturday afternoon in Dublin, California, and his parents-in-law were arrested on suspicion of murder within minutes, authorities said. (Jon McKinsey/Facebook)
The killing occurred as McKinsey was embroiled in a bitter divorce and custody dispute with Candice Jang, Chen and Zhang’s daughter.
Before his death, McKinsey accused Jang and her parents of years of abuse in court documents. The New York Times reported that McKinsey, a transgender man, alleged that some of the abuse was tied to his gender identity.
McKinsey accused Chen of directing anti-LGBTQ slurs at him and one of his children and alleged Zhang struck him in the chest while he was recovering from double mastectomy surgery, The Mercury News reported. Jang made competing allegations of domestic violence and child abuse against McKinsey, which he disputed.
Jonathan McKinsey, a New York Times Games engineering executive, was shot and killed Saturday afternoon in Dublin, California, and his parents-in-law were arrested on suspicion of murder within minutes, authorities said. (Jon McKinsey/Facebook)
News Media reviewed court dockets showing McKinsey and Jang were locked in multiple legal battles when McKinsey was killed, including competing domestic violence restraining order cases, a child custody dispute and a pending divorce.
Jang sought a domestic violence restraining order against McKinsey in October 2025, while McKinsey filed his own request two months later. The competing domestic violence matters were headed toward a three-day hearing in December.
News Media has reached out to the Alameda County District Attorney’s Office and Dublin Police Services for additional information. McKinsey’s divorce attorney did not immediately respond to News Media’s request for comment.
It was not immediately clear if the suspects had attorneys representing them.
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