In-Laws Charged With Murder in Shooting Death of Transgender NYT Executive
California couple allegedly opened fire in a park on Jonathan McKinsey, who had accused them of abuse amid a custody battle.
A California couple has been charged with murder in the death of their transgender son-in-law, Jonathan McKinsey, a New York Times Games engineering executive. Shouyong Zhang, 77, and Shili Chen, 77, are accused of gunning down McKinsey, 40, in a public park. Prosecutors allege the couple acted in concert, lying in wait to ambush McKinsey.
Authorities responded to reports of gunfire at the Dublin Sports Grounds on Saturday afternoon and found McKinsey with multiple gunshot wounds. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Witnesses directed officers to a departing black Honda Civic, leading to a traffic stop where Chen and Zhang were apprehended. Chen was found with a firearm, according to court documents.
Surveillance footage allegedly captured the couple firing at McKinsey in the crowded park parking lot, disregarding public safety as children were nearby. Three witnesses also identified Chen and Zhang as the shooters. While Chen invoked her Miranda rights when questioned, Zhang reportedly admitted to shooting McKinsey during an interview with investigators.
Police recovered a second firearm from the Honda, which Zhang allegedly admitted to using in the shooting. Both defendants have been charged with murder and face a special-circumstance allegation of intentionally killing by lying in wait. Prosecutors also claim the killing involved "great violence" and acts of "high degree of cruelty, viciousness, or callousness."
The fatal shooting occurred amid a contentious divorce and custody battle between McKinsey and his estranged wife, Candice Jang, the daughter of the accused couple. Court documents indicate McKinsey had accused Jang and her parents of years of abuse, some of which he alleged stemmed from his gender identity. McKinsey had reportedly accused Chen of directing anti-LGBTQ slurs and Zhang of physically assaulting him while he was recovering from surgery.
Jang, conversely, had made allegations of domestic violence and child abuse against McKinsey, claims he disputed. Court records show competing restraining order cases, a child custody dispute, and a pending divorce between McKinsey and Jang. A hearing for competing domestic violence matters was scheduled for December.
McKinsey's divorce attorney did not immediately respond to requests for comment. It remains unclear if the accused couple has legal representation.