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 published reports.
Jonathan McKinsey, 40, was fatally shot Saturday outside the Dublin Sports Grounds. Police soon arrested his in-laws, Shouyong Zhang, 77, and Shili Chen, 77, on suspicion of murder. Authorities have not disclosed what they believe prompted the shooting.
The Mercury News, citing a domestic violence restraining-order petition McKinsey filed in December 2025, reported that he accused his estranged wife, Candice Jang, and her parents of abusing him over several years. The New York Times separately reported that McKinsey, a transgender man, said the alleged mistreatment was connected to his gender identity.
According to the newspapers, McKinsey alleged that Chen directed anti-LGBTQ slurs toward him and one of the couple’s children. He also said Jang mistreated him during medical procedures related to his transition and claimed 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 Outlet show that McKinsey and Jang were engaged in several legal disputes when he died. The proceedings included competing domestic violence restraining-order requests, an active child-custody case and a divorce that had not been finalized.
The court dockets indicate that Jang requested a domestic violence restraining order against McKinsey in October 2025. McKinsey filed a separate request 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)
Other court records show McKinsey was also facing a misdemeanor child-abuse case filed in October 2025. The charges included 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, the newspaper said.
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)
Investigators have provided few details about the shooting, saying only that McKinsey appeared to have been deliberately targeted.
A Dublin Police Services sergeant traveling 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, and his parents-in-law were arrested on suspicion of murder within minutes, authorities said. (Jon McKinsey/Facebook)
Witnesses helped officers identify and detain Zhang and Chen within minutes. Police said the couple, who are married, stayed near the scene after the shooting.
Both suspects were booked into Santa Rita Jail on suspicion of murder. Jail records indicate prosecutors also recommended charges involving conspiracy, willful discharge of a firearm and child abuse.
The investigation is continuing. Zhang and Chen are scheduled to appear for arraignment Wednesday morning in Alameda County.
It was not immediately known whether either defendant had retained an attorney. Jang also could not be reached for comment.
