NYT Games Engineer Shot by In-Laws Amid Custody Battle
Jonathan McKinsey, a 40-year-old engineering director for The New York Times, was fatally shot on September 26 in the parking lot of Dublin Sports Grounds in California. Police arrested his 77-year-old parents-in-law, Shili Chen and Shouyong Zhang, who are charged with murder and 'lying in wait.' The shooting occurred during a bitter divorce and custody dispute between McKinsey and his wife, Candice Jang. Court documents reveal years of mutual allegations of domestic violence, including claims of physical abuse and emotional torment. While prosecutors have not disclosed a motive, the defense argues McKinsey was volatile and abusive, whereas family members describe him as gentle. McKinsey had recently regained limited supervised visitation rights with his three children.
Key points
- McKinsey, who joined The New York Times in 2023, was found with multiple gunshot wounds at Dublin Sports Grounds around 3 p.m. on September 26.
- Suspects Shili Chen and Shouyong Zhang, both 77, were arrested within minutes of the shooting and are being held without bail in Santa Rita Jail.
- The couple faces first-degree murder charges with a special circumstance allegation of 'lying in wait,' which carries a potential life sentence without parole.
- Court records show a 15-year marriage marked by severe conflict, including allegations that McKinsey fractured his wife's spine and that his wife forced him to eat a dead cockroach.
- McKinsey had been fighting for custody of his three children, ages 2, 4, and 6, after a temporary restraining order was issued against him in October 2025.
Background
This incident follows a period of intense legal conflict between McKinsey and his wife, Candice Jang. In late 2025, Jang obtained a temporary restraining order and sole custody after McKinsey was charged with corporal injury to a child. McKinsey subsequently filed for divorce and participated in 'Parenting Without Violence' classes to regain supervised visitation. He had recently begun attending a church and enlisted congregants to supervise his time with his children, a period that ended abruptly with the shooting. The New York Times confirmed McKinsey's role as director of engineering for its games department, a position he held since 2023 after working for tech firms like Oracle and Coursera.
How outlets are covering it
The Washington Post and NBC News emphasize the tragic nature of the loss and the complex, toxic history of the marriage, highlighting mutual allegations of abuse in court filings. The New York Times focuses on the professional identity of the victim and the immediate police response. KTVU provides the defense perspective, with attorney Curtis Briggs arguing that McKinsey was 'extremely rageful' and 'volatile,' suggesting the in-laws acted to protect their daughter. Briggs rejected the theory that the shooting was motivated by transphobia, stating the in-laws were supportive, while the Washington Post notes McKinsey had previously accused his mother-in-law of using slurs against him and his child. Prosecutors have not publicly cited a motive, leaving the intent behind the 'lying in wait' charge open to interpretation.
Why it matters
The case highlights the intersection of domestic violence, child custody battles, and fatal violence in the Bay Area. It raises questions about the efficacy of restraining orders and supervised visitation in preventing harm. Additionally, the defense's focus on the victim's alleged volatility contrasts with community tributes describing McKinsey as gentle, illustrating the difficulty of establishing motive in cases involving complex family histories. The 'lying in wait' charge indicates a premeditated aspect to the crime, suggesting a calculated response to the ongoing legal proceedings rather than a spontaneous act.
What to watch
Chen and Zhang are scheduled for plea hearings, with Briggs planning to enter a not-guilty plea for Chen. The defense is seeking Chen's release from jail, citing her frail health and lack of prior legal issues. A divorce hearing was scheduled for October 2026, though it may be postponed due to the murder charges. The case files are currently sealed, and prosecutors have not released further details on the motive or the specific sequence of events leading to the shooting.
- The toxic family strife before a New York Times engineer was gunned down The Washington Post
- Wife of slain NY Times exec alleged 'deeply disturbing' book given to children SFGATE
- Couple Accused of Killing Their Son-in-Law in Bay Area Park The New York Times
- Attorney for accused mother-in-law says slain victim was 'volatile' ktvu.com
- New York Times executive fatally shot by his in-laws in Bay Area park, police say NBC News
Want the full story? Read the original reporting
Read on The Washington Post