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A California man accused of gunning down his transgender son-in-law allegedly admitted to the shooting after surveillance video captured him and his wife opening fire together in a crowded park, newly filed court documents allege.
Shouyong Zhang and Shili Chen, both 77, were charged Wednesday with murder in the death of their son-in-law, Jonathan McKinsey, 40. Prosecutors also accused the couple of intentionally killing him by “lying in wait.”
Several 911 callers reported gunfire at the Dublin Sports Grounds before a Dublin Police Services sergeant arrived and found McKinsey lying face up with multiple gunshot wounds. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
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Witnesses pointed police toward a black Honda Civic leaving the parking lot, leading officers to conduct a high-risk traffic stop nearby, the filings state.
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 driving and allegedly had a firearm in her possession when she was detained, while Zhang was in the passenger seat.
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Three witnesses identified Chen and Zhang as the shooters, while surveillance video allegedly captured the couple opening fire “in concert” on McKinsey.
Police said the couple opened fire in a crowded park parking lot with “blatant disregard for public safety,” even as several children were nearby.
Police transported Chen to headquarters after her arrest, where she invoked her Miranda rights during questioning.
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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Zhang, however, allegedly spoke with investigators and admitted shooting McKinsey.
“During a later interview [with] Zhang, he admitted to shooting the victim,” the court document states.
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Police later searched the Honda and recovered a second firearm that Zhang allegedly admitted using in the shooting.
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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)
Prosecutors also added a special-circumstance allegation accusing Chen and Zhang of intentionally killing McKinsey by lying in wait – essentially alleging an ambush in which the attackers waited for an opportunity to strike.
They also allege both Chen and Zhang opened fire on McKinsey, killing him.
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The complaint alleges the killing involved “great violence” and acts showing a “high degree of cruelty, viciousness, or callousness.” Prosecutors also allege both defendants were armed or used a weapon during the killing.
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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)
McKinsey’s killing came amid a bitter divorce and custody battle with Chen and Zhang’s daughter, Candice Jang.
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McKinsey had accused Jang and her parents of years of abuse in court filings before his death. The New York Times reported that McKinsey, a transgender man, alleged some of the abuse stemmed from his gender identity.
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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)
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Fox News Digital 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.
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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.
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Fox News Digital 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 Fox News Digital’s request for comment.
It was not immediately clear if the suspects had attorneys representing them.
