DUBLIN, United States — Jonathan McKinsey, a 40-year-old engineering executive at The New York Times, was shot dead in a California sports complex car park, and police arrested his parents-in-law on suspicion of murder.
McKinsey was found with multiple gunshot wounds in the car park of Dublin Sports Grounds shortly after 3 p.m. on Saturday, September 26, 2026, according to Dublin Police Services.
He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Police identified the suspects as Shouyong Zhang and Shili Chen, both 77 and residents of Dublin.
They are married and are McKinsey’s parents-in-law.
Both were arrested on suspicion of murder and booked into Santa Rita Jail.
Police said witnesses helped officers locate and detain the couple within minutes. The suspects had remained near the scene.
“There are no outstanding suspects and no known threat to public safety,” police said.
Investigators have not publicly identified a motive.
McKinsey Led Engineering at New York Times Games
McKinsey was director of engineering for New York Times Games and had worked for the newspaper company since January 2023, a Times spokesperson confirmed to US media.
His work included engineering for the company’s games and player-experience operations.
Before joining The Times, McKinsey held software and engineering positions at several technology companies and had also taught computer science.
The Associated Press reported that the fatal shooting occurred amid an ongoing divorce and child-custody dispute between McKinsey and his estranged wife, Candice Jang, the daughter of Zhang and Chen.
Court records reviewed by several news organisations show that McKinsey and Jang had sought domestic-violence restraining orders against each other.
McKinsey was also facing pending misdemeanour charges involving alleged child endangerment and corporal injury. Those allegations had not been adjudicated at the time of his death.
The existence of the family and court disputes has not been established by police as the motive for the shooting.
Witnesses Help Police Make Arrests
A Dublin police sergeant was driving near the sports grounds at 6700 Dublin Boulevard when he noticed McKinsey lying in the middle of the car park.
At approximately the same time, emergency dispatchers began receiving multiple 911 calls.
Police said witness information was critical to identifying and apprehending Zhang and Chen.
The couple remained in custody ahead of court appearances expected this week.
Dublin Police Services said detectives were continuing to examine evidence and determine the circumstances surrounding the killing.
