Parents of NY Times Games Director Charged with Murder After Shooting at Dublin Park

Jonathan McKinsey, a 40-year-old director of engineering for New York Times Games, was found shot dead on Saturday afternoon at the Dublin Sports Grounds in the East Bay. Police arrested his parents-in-law, Shili Chen and Shouyong Zhang, within minutes and later charged both with murder and a lying-in-wait special circumstance. Prosecutors allege the couple intentionally fired at McKinsey while he lay behind a parked vehicle, showing “blatant disregard for public safety.”

The motive for the shooting has not been disclosed. Chen and Zhang, both 77, have not entered pleas. Their newly appointed attorney, Curtis Briggs, said they intend to plead not guilty and will emphasize allegations of abuse made by McKinsey in prior court filings. Briggs added that his client, who weighs about 80 pounds, is being held in a difficult jail environment.

McKinsey and his estranged wife, Candice Jang, had a contentious relationship that involved multiple court filings. McKinsey filed a restraining order alleging physical abuse, isolation, and threats, while Jang denied the accusations and described feeling frightened by a children’s book he had given their daughter. Both parties also cited incidents involving their three children and alleged child endangerment.

The shooting occurred around 3 p.m. as children played nearby. Surveillance footage showed Chen and Zhang firing in concert, and officers later recovered two firearms from their vehicle. The couple’s criminal case could result in life imprisonment without parole if convicted of first-degree murder with the special circumstance.

Investigators have not publicly explained why McKinsey and his in-laws were at the park that day, and a later police visit to Jang’s home resulted in no arrests.