In-laws charged with murder in California shooting of NY Times executive

An elderly California couple accused of shooting and killing their son-in-law were charged with murder on Wednesday.

Shouyong Zhang, 77, and his wife Shili Chen, 77, were arrested on Saturday after witnesses told police they took turns shooting at 40-year-old New York Times executive Jonathan McKinsey in the parking lot of the Dublin Sports Grounds in Dublin, about 35 miles east of San Francisco. 

McKinsey was pronounced dead at the scene, and Chen and Zhang were arrested minutes later near the Dublin police station.  

In addition to felony murder, Chen and Zhang were charged with personal use of a firearm causing death, and lying in wait, a special circumstance that carries the possibility of a life sentence without parole. Neither entered a plea on Wednesday; both were being held without bail.

Dublin Police Services said Zhang admitted to shooting McKinsey, and that Chen has refused to talk after their arrest. A second gun was found during the search of the couple's car, according to police.

The shooting followed years of documented family strife involving McKinsey, his wife - identified as Candice Jang, their three children, and his in-laws. In October 2025 following accusations from Jang, McKinsey was charged with child endangerment involving their 2-year-old, and corporal injury involving their 6-year-old. He pleaded not guilty to both charges. 

Days later, Jang filed for a restraining order against McKinsey to keep him away from both her and the children, which was followed by McKinsey filing his own restraining order against Jang in December 2025. McKinsey also filed for divorce days later.

Court documents indicate that McKinsey alleged his in-laws had long abused him for being a transgender man, and alleged that Jang had physically and emotionally harmed him and their children for years and allowed her parents to do the same. McKinsey also alleged that Zhang had punched him in the chest while he was recovering from a double masectomy, and alleged that Chan struck her grandson after he wanted to wear his sister's dresses, and called him derogatory names.

Police have not elaborated on the motive for the shooting and have not addressed the previous charges against McKinsey or subsequent court actions.

Legal analyst Steven Clark said the history between the victim and the defendants could become relevant as the case moves forward.

"The defense will do a deep dive on the relationship between their clients and the victim," Clark said.

Clark said prosecutors do not have to prove a motive to obtain a murder conviction, but the history could still become part of the case.

"While the DA does not need to prove motive in a murder case, certainly the motive here is something that could play out in this trial," Clark said.

Wednesday's hearing also revealed that Chen does not yet have an attorney. She was expected back in court Thursday morning.

Zhang waived a formal reading of his rights and charges during Wednesday's proceeding.