Jonathan McKinsey, a 40-year-old engineering director at The New York Times, was fatally shot Saturday afternoon in Dublin, California. Police say the suspects are his wife’s parents, a couple who were arrested near the scene on suspicion of murder.
Police say two 77-year-olds shot their son-in-law in a Dublin sports park parking lot. Both were arrested minutes later, no motive has been released, and they were due in court Wednesday.
What Happened to Jonathan McKinsey in Dublin
Dublin Police Services said a sergeant was driving nearby when he saw the victim on the ground, according to an Associated Press report carried by CNN. Witnesses were already calling 911 and pointing out two people near the scene.
McKinsey was found with multiple gunshot wounds in the parking lot at Dublin Sports Grounds, a city park with sports fields and a playground. The park sits about a block from the police department. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Dublin is a suburb roughly 35 miles (56 km) east of San Francisco. Some early reports gave a different day for the shooting, but police and local outlets place it on Saturday, shortly after 3 p.m.
Key Facts at a Glance
| Detail | Reported Information |
|---|---|
| Victim | Jonathan McKinsey, 40 |
| Job | Director of engineering, New York Times Games |
| Location | Dublin Sports Grounds parking lot, Dublin, California |
| Time | Saturday afternoon, shortly after 3 p.m. |
| Suspects | Shouyong Zhang and Shili Chen, both 77 |
| Relationship | Parents of McKinsey’s wife |
| Motive | Not disclosed by police |
| Next step | Court appearance due Wednesday |
Arrests and Charges
Shouyong Zhang and Shili Chen were arrested by an officer who happened to be passing the scene several minutes after the shooting. A witness said the pair had stayed in the area. They are being held at Santa Rita jail.
The BBC reported that the couple face multiple charges, including first-degree murder, felony conspiracy, willful discharge of a firearm with gross negligence, and child endangerment. Police described the arrests as being on suspicion of murder and other charges.
It was not clear whether either suspect had hired a lawyer. The Alameda County District Attorney’s Office said it was reviewing the investigation. Everyone arrested is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
What Witnesses Described
Assad Razawi told ABC7 he was leaving a nearby market when he heard gunshots from the parking lot. He said he then saw a man collapse. The San Francisco Chronicle reported that Razawi counted five or six shots.
Razawi’s daughter, Mal Razawi, relayed his account that a man and a woman walked away from the scene together in a casual way. Those two people were later identified by police as the suspects.
Motive and Court Records
Investigators had not shared a possible motive as of Monday. Reporting by the Associated Press and the Chronicle says court records show McKinsey and his wife were in a contentious divorce, with a hearing scheduled about a week after the shooting.
The records also show the wife obtained a domestic violence protection order against McKinsey last October. The Chronicle reported he faced a criminal child abuse case. Police have not said whether any of this is connected to the shooting, so it should not be treated as an explanation.
The New York Times Confirms His Death
The New York Times confirmed that Jonathan McKinsey was its director of engineering for Games. The Chronicle reported that he had worked at the company for more than three years. Local outlets described the killing as a shock to the quiet East Bay suburb,.
None of the reports reviewed for this article link the attack to his work. The newspaper’s confirmation of his role is the only comment from the company cited in the coverage so far.
What Is Still Unknown
Several basic questions remain open. Police have not said what led to the confrontation, how the suspects came to be at the park, or what type of firearm was used. It is also unclear whether the couple have legal representation.
Phone numbers listed for McKinsey’s wife were reportedly disconnected when the Associated Press tried to reach her. She has not been named as a suspect in any of the reports reviewed. Readers should treat early accounts as preliminary, since details often change as investigators release more information.
What Happens Next
The suspects were due to appear in court Wednesday morning to formally face the charges. The Alameda County District Attorney’s Office has said it is reviewing the investigation, and further details are expected as the case moves through the court system. This article will only be accurate as of the reports available on September 29, 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Who was Jonathan McKinsey?
He was a 40-year-old resident of Dublin and the director of engineering for New York Times Games, as confirmed by the newspaper.
2. Where and when was he shot?
He was shot in the parking lot of Dublin Sports Grounds on Saturday afternoon, shortly after 3 p.m., according to police and local reports.
3. Who has been arrested?
Shouyong Zhang and Shili Chen, both 77 and from Dublin, are his parents-in-law and are held at Santa Rita jail.
4. Do police know the motive?
No. Police have not disclosed a motive. Court records show a divorce and custody dispute, but police have not linked it to the shooting.
5. What is the next step in the case?
The couple were due in court Wednesday morning to formally face charges, and the district attorney’s office is reviewing the investigation.
