A transgender executive from the New York Times Games, Jonathan McKinsey, was reportedly shot and killed by his wife’s parents in Dublin, California. This incident occurred amidst ongoing allegations of abuse during a contentious divorce and custody battle.
The tragic event unfolded on Saturday outside the Dublin Sports Grounds, where McKinsey, 40, was shot. Authorities quickly apprehended his in-laws, Shouyong Zhang and Shili Chen, both 77, on suspicion of murder. While police have not provided specific details about the circumstances leading to the shooting, it was stated that McKinsey was intentionally targeted.
According to reports, especially one referencing McKinsey’s petition for a domestic violence restraining order from December 2025, he had accused his estranged wife, Candice Jang, and her parents of years of abuse. His allegations included claims that the mistreatment was linked to his gender identity as a transgender man.
Reports suggest that McKinsey accused Chen of using anti-LGBTQ slurs and noted that he faced mistreatment during medical procedures tied to his gender transition. He even claimed that while he was recovering from a double mastectomy, his father-in-law struck him in the chest.
Court documents indicate that McKinsey and Jang were embroiled in various legal issues at the time of his death, including active domestic violence restraining order applications and a child custody dispute. It seems that Jang had filed her restraining order against McKinsey in October 2025, which led to a complicated legal situation.
Furthermore, another pending case involved McKinsey being charged with misdemeanor child abuse, which included accusations of child endangerment. These legal entanglements were particularly complicated, with accusations being exchanged between McKinsey and Jang during family court proceedings.
In the immediate aftermath of the shooting, law enforcement responded rapidly, aided by witnesses who provided details to help detain Zhang and Chen, who remained at the scene. Both individuals are now being held in Santa Rita Jail, facing murder charges along with additional charges of conspiracy and child abuse.
As investigators continue to look into the matter, Zhang and Chen are scheduled for arraignment in Alameda County. It’s not yet clear if they have legal counsel representing them, and attempts to reach Jang for comment were unsuccessful.
