Two 77-year-old California residents have been charged with murder in the shooting death of their son-in-law, Jonathan McKinsey, 40. Court documents allege that Shouyong Zhang admitted firing at McKinsey and that he acted with his wife, Shili Chen. The shooting occurred Saturday afternoon at the Dublin Sports Grounds during a contentious divorce and child custody dispute. Prosecutors have also alleged that the couple waited for an opportunity to attack McKinsey and opened fire in a public parking lot.
| 1) | Arrests follow a fatal shooting in Dublin |
| 2) | Court documents describe an alleged joint attack |
| 3) | Prosecutors pursue a lying-in-wait allegation |
| 4) | The killing followed a prolonged family legal dispute |
| 5) | The criminal case remains at an early stage |
Arrests follow a fatal shooting in Dublin
Police responded Saturday afternoon to reports of gunfire at the Dublin Sports Grounds in Dublin, California. A sergeant found McKinsey lying face up with multiple gunshot wounds, and he was pronounced dead at the scene. Witnesses directed officers toward a black Honda Civic leaving the parking lot, prompting a high-risk traffic stop nearby.
Chen was driving the vehicle and allegedly had a firearm when officers detained her. Zhang was in the passenger seat. Both were arrested within minutes of the shooting and later charged with murder. The incident occurred in a crowded park area, and police said children were nearby when the shots were fired.
Court documents describe an alleged joint attack
Three witnesses identified Chen and Zhang as the people who fired at McKinsey, according to the filings. Investigators also reviewed surveillance video that allegedly showed the couple opening fire together. Prosecutors described the conduct as occurring “in concert” and alleged that both defendants fired weapons at McKinsey.
Chen invoked her Miranda rights during questioning at police headquarters. Zhang spoke with investigators and allegedly admitted shooting McKinsey. A search of the Honda produced a second firearm, which Zhang allegedly acknowledged using in the attack.
“During a later interview [with] Zhang, he admitted to shooting the victim,” the court document states.
Prosecutors pursue a lying-in-wait allegation
In addition to the murder charges, prosecutors added a special-circumstance allegation that Chen and Zhang intentionally killed McKinsey by lying in wait. The allegation describes a planned ambush in which the defendants waited for an opportunity to attack, though the claims must be proven in court.
The complaint also alleges that the killing involved great violence and conduct reflecting a high degree of cruelty, viciousness or callousness. Prosecutors said both defendants were armed or used a weapon during the killing. The filings characterize the shooting as especially dangerous because it took place in a public parking lot with other people, including children, in the vicinity.
The killing followed a prolonged family legal dispute
McKinsey was in the midst of a divorce and child custody dispute with Candice Jang, the daughter of Chen and Zhang. Court dockets reviewed after the shooting showed multiple pending legal matters, including competing domestic violence restraining order requests, a custody case and the divorce proceeding.
Jang sought a domestic violence restraining order against McKinsey in October 2025. McKinsey filed his own request two months later, and the competing matters were scheduled for a three-day hearing in December. McKinsey had accused Jang and her parents of years of abuse in court filings, while Jang made separate allegations of domestic violence and child abuse against him. McKinsey disputed those allegations.
McKinsey, a transgender man, also alleged that some of the claimed abuse was connected to his gender identity. He accused Chen of directing anti-LGBTQ slurs at him and one of his children and alleged that Zhang struck him in the chest while he was recovering from double mastectomy surgery. The allegations had not been resolved before his death.
The criminal case remains at an early stage
The murder charges and special-circumstance allegations are accusations, and Chen and Zhang are presumed innocent unless proven guilty. The available filings describe the evidence cited by investigators and prosecutors, including witness accounts, surveillance footage, the alleged statements by Zhang and the firearms recovered from the vehicle.
It was not immediately clear whether either defendant had an attorney representing them. Authorities had not publicly provided additional details about the investigation, and the legal proceedings were continuing. The custody and domestic violence cases were separate from the criminal prosecution but provide the surrounding context for the alleged motive.
| No. | Key Point |
|---|---|
| 1 | Shouyong Zhang and Shili Chen, both 77, face murder charges. |
| 2 | Jonathan McKinsey, 40, died after being shot at the Dublin Sports Grounds. |
| 3 | Investigators cited witnesses, surveillance footage and firearms recovered from a vehicle. |
| 4 | The shooting occurred amid a divorce and child custody dispute. |
| 5 | Prosecutors allege the defendants acted together and waited for an opportunity to attack. |
Summary
The case centers on the fatal shooting of Jonathan McKinsey during a highly contested family legal dispute. Prosecutors allege that his in-laws, Shouyong Zhang and Shili Chen, jointly carried out the attack in a public parking lot and that Zhang later admitted firing a weapon. The defendants face serious charges, but the allegations remain unresolved and will be tested through the criminal court process.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was killed?
Jonathan McKinsey, a 40-year-old transgender man and games engineering executive, was fatally shot at the Dublin Sports Grounds in California.
Who has been charged?
McKinsey’s in-laws, Shouyong Zhang and Shili Chen, both 77, have been charged with murder.
What was the alleged motive or context?
The shooting occurred amid a divorce and child custody dispute involving McKinsey and Candice Jang, Chen and Zhang’s daughter. Court filings contained competing allegations of domestic violence and abuse.
What evidence do prosecutors cite?
The filings cite witness identifications, surveillance video, firearms recovered from the suspects’ vehicle and Zhang’s alleged admission that he shot McKinsey.
