# Fatal shooting of New York Times executive in California

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/fatal-shooting-of-new-york-times-executive-in-california
> Updated: 2026-09-29T00:00:00.000Z. Sources: 80. Developments: 2.

Jonathan McKinsey, the 40-year-old director of engineering for The New York Times Games division, was fatally shot on a Saturday afternoon in a parking lot at the Dublin Sports Grounds in California.

Witnesses reported hearing multiple gunshots and seeing two masked individuals, who allegedly took turns shooting the victim, before being detained by police near the scene. McKinsey was found with several wounds to his head and chest.

Authorities arrested McKinsey’s 77-year-old in-laws, Shouyong Zhang and Shili Chen, who were located near the scene following the incident. The suspects are being held at the Santa Rita jail and face multiple charges, including first-degree murder, felony conspiracy, child endangerment, and willful discharge of a firearm with gross negligence.

While a specific motive has not been officially released by the Dublin Police Services, investigators are examining ongoing family conflicts as a potential motive. Court records reveal a bitter and contentious legal battle between McKinsey and his wife, Candice Jang, involving divorce filings and child custody disputes. Previous filings included allegations of domestic violence and child abuse, with both parties having sought restraining orders against one another. Jang had previously obtained a domestic violence restraining order against McKinsey, alleging physical abuse toward her and their children. Conversely, McKinsey, a transgender man, had filed for divorce and sought his own restraining orders, alleging abuse by Jang and making claims regarding anti-LGBTQ+ treatment by his in-laws. McKinsey had also faced misdemeanor child abuse charges in a separate 2023 incident. McKinsey, a UC Berkeley alumnus, had been employed by The New York Times since early 2023.

## Claims

- Shouyong Zhang and Shili Chen, both 77, were arrested on suspicion of first-degree murder. (corroborated by 19 sources)
- Jonathan McKinsey was found with multiple gunshot wounds in a Dublin parking lot. (corroborated by 11 sources)
- The New York Times confirmed the death of Jonathan McKinsey. (corroborated by 9 sources)
- The suspects are being held at the Santa Rita jail. (corroborated by 8 sources)
- McKinsey, who was transgender, had previously alleged that his mother-in-law used anti-LGBTQ+ slurs against him. (corroborated by 5 sources)
- McKinsey's wife, Candice Jang, alleged in court filings that he was abusive toward her and their children. (corroborated by 5 sources)

## Timeline

### 2026-09-29: Jonathan McKinsey, NYT executive, fatally shot in California

The New York Times executive Jonathan McKinsey was fatally shot in a California parking lot. His 77-year-old in-laws, Shouyong Zhang and Shili Chen, have been arrested on murder charges.

45 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/new-york-times-executive-fatally-shot-in-california-park

### 2026-09-27: New York Times executive Jonathan McKinsey fatally shot in California

The New York Times engineering executive Jonathan McKinsey was fatally shot in a California parking lot; police have arrested his 77-year-old in-laws, Shouyong Zhang and Shili Chen, on suspicion of murder.

37 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/man-killed-in-shooting-at-dublin-sports-grounds

---
Cite as: Fatal shooting of New York Times executive in California. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/fatal-shooting-of-new-york-times-executive-in-california