NYT Games Executive, Transgender Man, Killed in California; In-Laws Arrested
Jonathan McKinsey, who had accused his wife's parents of years of abuse amid a bitter custody dispute, was fatally shot in Dublin, California.
A transgender man and executive at The New York Times Games division was fatally shot Saturday in Dublin, California, and his parents-in-law have been arrested on suspicion of murder. The victim, Jonathan McKinsey, 40, had accused his estranged wife's parents of years of abuse in court filings related to a contentious divorce and custody battle.
Police arrested Shouyong Zhang, 77, and Shili Chen, 77, shortly after McKinsey was found shot outside the Dublin Sports Grounds. Investigators have not yet disclosed details about the circumstances that led to the shooting.
According to reports citing McKinsey's December 2025 petition for a domestic violence restraining order, he alleged ongoing abuse by his wife, Candice Jang, and her parents. The New York Times reported that McKinsey, who was transgender, believed the abuse was linked to his gender identity.
Court documents indicate that McKinsey alleged Chen made anti-LGBTQ slurs directed at him and one of the couple's children. He also claimed Jang mistreated him during his gender transition and that his father-in-law struck him following double mastectomy surgery.
McKinsey and Jang were involved in multiple legal proceedings at the time of his death, including competing domestic violence restraining order cases, a child custody dispute, and a pending divorce. Jang had sought a restraining order against McKinsey in October 2025, and McKinsey filed his own request two months later. A hearing for these matters was scheduled for December.
McKinsey also faced a misdemeanor child abuse case filed in October 2025, which included charges of child endangerment and corporal injury to a child. A pretrial hearing for this case was scheduled for earlier this month.
During family court proceedings, Jang reportedly made accusations of domestic violence and child abuse against McKinsey, claims he disputed in his own court filings.
A sergeant on patrol near the sports complex discovered McKinsey in the parking lot around 3 p.m. Saturday. Officers and paramedics responded immediately. Witnesses reportedly assisted officers in detaining Zhang and Chen, who remained in the vicinity after the shooting.
Both suspects were booked into Santa Rita Jail on suspicion of murder. Jail records indicate that prosecutors also recommended charges including conspiracy, willful discharge of a firearm, and child abuse. They are scheduled for arraignment on Wednesday morning in Alameda County.