New York Times executive fatally shot by elderly in-laws, police say

September 29, 2026

Jonathan McKinsey, a 40-year-old New York Times engineering director who worked on games, was fatally shot in a parking lot near San Francisco on Saturday afternoon. His wife's parents, both 77-year-old Shouyong Zhang and Shili Chen, were arrested minutes after the incident and charged with first-degree murder along with several other offenses. Witnesses reported hearing multiple gunshots and seeing the elderly couple calmly leave the scene together after McKinsey fell to the ground with visible injuries.

Who is affected

Jonathan McKinsey (victim, deceased)
Shouyong Zhang and Shili Chen (suspects, arrested and jailed)
McKinsey's wife (daughter of the suspects)
The New York Times organization
Witnesses to the shooting, including Assad Razawi and his daughter
Child(ren) referenced in the child endangerment charge

What action is being taken

Shouyong Zhang and Shili Chen are being held at Santa Rita jail
The couple are facing multiple charges including first-degree murder, felony conspiracy, wilful discharge of a firearm with gross negligence, and child endangerment

Why it matters

This case involves the shocking killing of a prominent tech executive by his own elderly in-laws in broad daylight at a public sports facility. The incident raises questions about family violence, access to firearms by elderly individuals, and the circumstances that could lead to such an extreme act by people in their late seventies. The child endangerment charge suggests minors may have been present during the shooting, adding another disturbing dimension to the tragedy.

What's next

The couple are due to appear in court to formally face the charges on Wednesday.

Read full article from source: BBC