Jonathan McKinsey, a New York Times executive, was allegedly ambushed and fatally shot by his in-laws in a car park at a sports complex in Dublin, California, according to charging documents. The attack is alleged to have taken place in front of children.
Shouyong Zhang and Shili Chen were charged with murder on Wednesday. Prosecutors allege the pair had deliberately planned the shooting and took turns firing at McKinsey with two guns.
After the shooting, Zhang and Chen allegedly fled in a Honda Civic. Witnesses helped police identify the vehicle, which was subsequently stopped.
During an interview, Zhang admitted killing McKinsey, the documents allege. Chen invoked her Miranda rights and did not answer questions.
The two defendants also face allegations relating to violence or bodily harm, the use and discharge of firearms, violent conduct and the infliction of great bodily injury.
Previous restraining-order dispute
McKinsey had been involved in a dispute with his estranged wife, Candice Jang, and both had applied for restraining orders against the other.
In his filing, McKinsey alleged that Jang had tried to pull out his medical tubes while he was transitioning and had struck him with a frying pan.
He also alleged that Chen had called him a “pervert” and “disgusting queer”, while Zhang had punched him in the chest following his double mastectomy.
