ALERT: In-Laws Accused of Murder in Death of New York Times Executive

Jonathan McKinsey, engineering director of New York Times Games, was shot to death on Saturday, September 26, in a parking lot in Dublin, California. Police arrested his in-laws, Shouyong Zhang and Shili Chen, both 77 years old, on suspicion of murder.

McKinsey was 40 years old and lived in Dublin. According to ABC News, an officer found him with multiple gunshot wounds at the Dublin Sports Grounds complex and he was pronounced dead at the scene. Local police reported that the investigation continues and no motive has been revealed.

Dublin is a city in Alameda County, east of San Francisco. The New York Times confirmed that McKinsey had worked at the newspaper since January 2023, according to CNN. His division publishes games and digital pastimes, including Wordle, a daily game in which players must guess a five-letter word.

In-Laws Arrested Following Shooting at Sports Complex

Witnesses told KGO-TV, ABC’s affiliate in San Francisco, that they heard a burst of gunfire before seeing the victim on the ground, according to ABC7. One of them reported that the man had blood on his head and chest. His daughter added that her father saw the couple calmly walk away from the scene.

An officer passing through the area arrested Zhang and Chen minutes after the shots were fired. According to a witness, the couple had remained near the site after the attack. Witnesses helped investigators identify them, according to ABC News.

The detainees remain in Santa Rita Jail, the main prison in Alameda County. They face first-degree murder charges, according to authorities. Initial reports add charges of conspiracy to commit felonies, reckless discharge of a firearm, and endangering a minor.

Divorce, Custody, and Protective Orders: Context of the Case

McKinsey, who was transgender, filed for divorce in December 2025, according to court documents. The homicide occurred one week before a hearing in that proceeding, CNN reported. The couple was also involved in a custody dispute over their son, that is, over the legal decision regarding the child’s care.

His wife, identified in documents as Jang, obtained a domestic violence protective order against him in October 2025, according to ABC News. A protective order is a court ruling that limits contact between two people. It was issued after McKinsey was arrested for allegedly striking his son.

McKinsey faced two counts of child abuse as a misdemeanor, a less serious infraction than a felony, according to ABC7. In turn, he had accused his mother-in-law of using anti-transgender slurs directed at him and one of his children, according to records cited by ABC News 4. The reports reviewed do not include a response from the in-laws.

What California Law Says and What Comes Next for the Accused

In California, first-degree murder involves premeditation and deliberation, according to articles 187 and 189 of the state penal code. Second-degree murder does not require premeditation. A first-degree conviction can result in 25 years to life imprisonment, according to article 190, and the accused are presumed innocent until a court renders a verdict.

Zhang and Chen were scheduled to appear on Wednesday, September 30, to formally respond to the charges, a procedure known as an arraignment. After that, a judge will assess in a preliminary hearing whether there is sufficient evidence to proceed to trial. The reports reviewed do not detail the outcome of the first hearing or whether they have legal representation.

Anyone wanting to follow the case can review statements from Dublin Police Services and public records from the Alameda County court. If you or someone close to you faces domestic violence, you can call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233, with Spanish-language support. You can also text START to 88788.