California couple charged with murder in killing of New York Times executive

Shouyong Zhang and Shili Chen, both 77, have been charged with murder following the fatal shooting of their son-in-law, Jonathan McKinsey, in Dublin, California. McKinsey, a 40-year-old engineering director for The New York Times Games division, was shot in the parking lot of the Dublin Sports Grounds on September 26.

Prosecutors allege the couple ‘lied in wait’ for McKinsey, an enhancement that could lead to life imprisonment without parole. Witnesses reported that the masked suspects took turns firing at the victim. Police recovered multiple firearms during the investigation and noted that Zhang reportedly admitted to the killing.

The shooting occurred amidst a highly contentious divorce and child custody battle between McKinsey and his estranged wife, Candice Jang. Court documents reveal a history of mutual allegations of domestic violence and abuse. McKinsey, who was transgender, had filed restraining orders alleging that Jang and her parents had subjected him to verbal and physical abuse related to his gender transition. Conversely, Jang had obtained a protective order against McKinsey following allegations of child abuse and domestic violence.