Jonathan McKinsey, 40, was killed by his elderly in-laws. They were in the middle of  a long-running family dispute involving divorce, child custody and competing allegations of domestic abuse. 

McKinsey, a transgender man and New York Times technology executive, was fatally shot in a Northern California parking lot at the Dublin Sports Grounds. 

His marriage to Candice Jang was breaking down and legal disputes involving their three children remained unresolved.

Prosecutors allege that Jang's parents, Shouyong Zhang and Shili Chen, carried out a planned attack. The couple, both 77, have been charged in connection with McKinsey's death.

Prosecutors Allege a Planned Ambush

According to court documents cited in the supplied reports, Alameda County prosecutors accused Zhang and Chen of intentionally killing McKinsey by “lying in wait.” The couple faces murder-related charges following the shooting.

Several people reportedly called 911 after hearing gunfire at the sports complex. A Dublin Police Services sergeant arrived and found McKinsey suffering from multiple gunshot wounds.

Witnesses directed officers toward a black Honda Civic that was leaving the parking lot. Police subsequently conducted a high-risk traffic stop, according to court documents. Chen was driving the vehicle while Zhang was reportedly sitting in the passenger seat.

Three witnesses identified the couple as the shooters. Investigators also said surveillance footage captured the pair opening fire “in concert.”

Authorities further alleged that the shooting occurred in a crowded parking lot while children were nearby, describing the conduct as a serious threat to public safety.

Father-in-Law Allegedly Admitted Shooting

Court documents reportedly state that Zhang later admitted to investigators that he shot McKinsey. Police also recovered a second firearm that Zhang allegedly acknowledged using.

The elderly couple was arrested and booked into Alameda County's Santa Rita Jail on suspicion of murder. The supplied material says they also face allegations involving felony conspiracy, dangerous discharge of a firearm and child endangerment.

Family Conflict Was Escalating

McKinsey's death came against the backdrop of a deeply contentious family dispute.

Court records reportedly show that McKinsey filed for divorce in December. The couple had been married for approximately 14 years and were living separately. Jang had sole legal and physical custody of their three children.

The custody dispute was accompanied by competing domestic-violence allegations.

Jang obtained a temporary restraining order against McKinsey in October 2025. Two months later, McKinsey sought his own restraining order, alleging that Jang had physically and emotionally abused him and mistreated their children.

The Mercury News reported that McKinsey claimed to have endured years of abuse by his estranged wife, Candice Jang, and her parents. The New York Times reported McKinsey claimed he was abused because he was transgender. 

McKinsey alleged that he feared Jang might hurt the children if she believed he could obtain custody. Jang disputed his characterization of their relationship and sought protection for herself, the children and her parents.

The court filings described by the supplied reports contain allegations from both sides.

Those competing allegations form an important part of the background to the shooting, but they should not be treated as findings of fact. They represent statements and accusations contained in court filings.

McKinsey’s Family Describes a Difficult Period

Lovell Garner, McKinsey's paternal cousin, described the period surrounding the shooting as increasingly turbulent. Garner characterized McKinsey as intelligent, outgoing, kind and big-hearted.

McKinsey had previously transitioned from female to male. The supplied material says he was formerly known as Dawn Finney and transitioned in 2010. He married Jang in Harris County, Texas, in 2011.

Garner also said McKinsey's family supported his transition.

McKinsey's father, William Finney II, was reportedly in Taiwan with McKinsey's mother around the time of the killing. A Facebook message posted by Finney earlier in September asked his son to visit and expressed his parents' love and concern for him.

Police also served a search warrant at Jang's residence following the shooting. Authorities had not publicly disclosed what they were seeking.

The case overlapping investigations and legal proceedings include the homicide prosecution against Zhang and Chen, the previous family-law proceedings involving McKinsey and Jang, and the competing domestic-violence allegations documented in their court filings.

Related Links 

• BBC: Jonathan McKinsey Death
• Fox News — Parents-in-law arrested after NYT executive found fatally shot
• Fox News — Court documents describe alleged coordinated shooting
• KTVU — Dublin shooting and divorce battle

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