Archive · 29 Sep 2026
New York Times Games Director Shot; In-Laws Arrested
Jonathan McKinsey worked as an engineering director for The New York Times Games.
He was shot and killed at a sports complex in Dublin, California.
Police found him in the parking lot after receiving calls about gunshots.
Two people were arrested near the scene.
They were identified as his parents-in-law, Shouyong Zhang and Shili Chen.
Police say there are no other known suspects and no known danger to the public.
McKinsey and his wife were involved in a divorce and custody dispute involving their children.
Court records contain accusations from both sides, but the claims have not been decided in court and police have not said the dispute caused the killing.
Jonathan McKinsey, 40, a New York Times Games engineering director, was fatally shot at Dublin Sports Grounds in California.
A police sergeant found McKinsey with multiple gunshot wounds shortly after 3 p.m. on Saturday, September 26.
McKinsey’s parents-in-law, Shouyong Zhang and Shili Chen, both 77, were detained near the scene and arrested on suspicion of murder.
The killing occurred amid McKinsey’s divorce and child-custody proceedings with his wife, Candice Jang.
Police have not established a motive or confirmed which suspect, if either, fired the weapon; the investigation remains active.
- Who
- Jonathan McKinsey was killed; his parents-in-law, Shouyong Zhang and Shili Chen, were arrested on suspicion of murder.
- What
- McKinsey was fatally shot, and two people were detained and arrested in connection with the killing.
- When
- The shooting occurred shortly after 3 p.m. on Saturday, September 26.
- Where
- The shooting took place in the parking lot of Dublin Sports Grounds in Dublin, California.
- Why
- The motive has not been established. The killing occurred while McKinsey and his wife were involved in divorce and child-custody proceedings.
Court allegations and family dispute
Established facts and legal status
Claims in the custody case
Court allegations and family dispute
Jang sought a domestic-violence protection order and alleged incidents involving herself and the children. McKinsey was also charged with misdemeanor child-abuse offenses, to which he pleaded not guilty.
Established facts and legal status
McKinsey later sought a protection order against Jang, filed for divorce, and made allegations against Jang and her mother, Shili Chen. The allegations from both sides have not been adjudicated.
Cause of the shooting
Court allegations and family dispute
The ongoing divorce and custody dispute provides context for the strained family relationship.
Established facts and legal status
Authorities have not publicly established that the family dispute was the motive, and police have not confirmed which suspect, if either, fired the weapon.
- Victim
- Jonathan McKinsey, 40
- Occupation
- Director of engineering for New York Times Games
- Location
- Dublin Sports Grounds, Dublin, California
- Arrests
- Shouyong Zhang and Shili Chen, both 77
- Charges
- Both were arrested on suspicion of murder
- Police status
- No outstanding suspects and no known threat to public safety
- Legal context
- McKinsey and Candice Jang were involved in divorce and child-custody proceedings
