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A transgender New York Times Games executive allegedly shot and killed by his wife’s parents in Dublin, California, had accused them of years of abuse during a bitter custody and divorce battle, according to reports.
Jonathan McKinsey, 40, was fatally shot Saturday outside the Dublin Sports Grounds before police quickly arrested his parents-in-law, Shouyong Zhang, 77, and Shili Chen, 77, on suspicion of murder. Investigators have not said what led to the shooting.
The Mercury News, citing McKinsey’s December 2025 petition for a domestic violence restraining order, reported that he alleged years of abuse by his estranged wife, Candice Jang, and her parents. The New York Times separately reported McKinsey, a transgender man, claimed the abuse stemmed from his gender identity.
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The newspapers reported McKinsey alleged Chen directed anti-LGBTQ slurs at him and one of the couple’s children. He also claimed Jang mistreated him during medical procedures related to his gender transition and alleged his father-in-law hit 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)
Fox News Digital reviewed court dockets showing McKinsey and Jang were involved in multiple legal proceedings at the time of his death, including competing domestic violence restraining order cases, an ongoing child custody dispute and a pending divorce.
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The dockets show Jang sought a domestic violence restraining order against McKinsey in October 2025, and McKinsey filed his own request two months later. The domestic violence matters were ultimately scheduled 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)
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Separate court dockets show McKinsey faced a pending misdemeanor child abuse case filed in October 2025 charging him with child endangerment and corporal injury to a child. A pretrial hearing had been scheduled earlier this month.
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The Mercury News also reported Jang made competing allegations against McKinsey during the family court proceedings, accusing him of domestic violence and child abuse. McKinsey disputed those claims in his own petition, the newspaper reported.
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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)
Police have released few details about what led to Saturday’s shooting, saying only that McKinsey was deliberately targeted.
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A Dublin Police Services sergeant driving near the sports complex spotted McKinsey lying in the parking lot shortly after 3 p.m. Saturday, prompting an immediate response from officers and paramedics.
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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)
With help from witnesses, officers detained Zhang and Chen within minutes. Police said the married couple remained near the scene after the shooting.
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Both were booked into Santa Rita Jail on suspicion of murder. Jail records show prosecutors also recommended charges of conspiracy, willful discharge of a firearm and child abuse.
The investigation remains ongoing. Zhang and Chen are scheduled to be arraigned Wednesday morning in Alameda County.
It was not immediately clear if the defendants had attorneys representing them. Jang could not immediately be reached for comment.
Fox News Digital’s Sophia Compton contributed to this report.
