On Saturday afternoon, September 26, 2024, 40-year-old Jonathan McKinsey, a director of engineering for New York Times Games, was fatally shot at the Dublin Sports Grounds in Dublin, California. Local authorities have arrested McKinsey’s mother-in-law and father-in-law, Shili Chen and Shouyong Zhang, both 77, in connection with the shooting.
The incident unfolded around 3 p.m. near Interstate 580. A Dublin Police Services sergeant driving near the sports complex discovered McKinsey suffering from multiple gunshot wounds in the parking lot. Emergency dispatchers received several 911 calls simultaneously as the shooting occurred. First responders arrived quickly at the scene, but McKinsey was pronounced dead at the parking lot.
Arrests and Serious Charges Filed
Following an immediate investigation at the scene, police arrested Chen and Zhang, who are local residents of Dublin. Authorities booked the married couple into the Santa Rita Jail in Alameda County. Both suspects face several severe felony charges, including:
- First-degree murder
- Conspiracy
- Willfully discharging a firearm with gross negligence
- Child abuse
Authorities noted that child abuse charges were filed in connection with the incident at the public sports park, which is frequently used for youth athletic events and family gatherings.
Impact on the Tech and Media Community
As a director of engineering for New York Times Games, McKinsey was a key figure in the media company’s highly successful digital gaming division, which produces popular daily puzzles such as Wordle, Spelling Bee, and the New York Times Crossword. Colleagues and industry peers have expressed shock over the sudden and violent loss of the Bay Area tech leader.
Dublin Police Services have not yet released a motive for the shooting, and the investigation remains active. Detectives are urging anyone who was at the Dublin Sports Grounds on Saturday afternoon and witnessed the incident or has video footage to contact the Dublin Police Department.
