Jonathan McKinsey, a 40-year-old transgender executive at The New York Times, was fatally shot in a California parking lot on Saturday in an incident that authorities say involved his elderly in-laws. The shooting occurred amid a contentious custody dispute involving McKinsey, his estranged wife, and their children.

McKinsey, who served as the director of engineering for games and player experience at The New York Times since 2023, was reportedly approached by two masked individuals at Dublin Sports Grounds. Witnesses said the assailants fired multiple shots before leaving the scene calmly. Law enforcement arrested McKinsey’s father-in-law, Shouyong Zhang, and mother-in-law, Shili Chen, both 77, charging them with murder, child endangerment, and firing a gun in a dangerous manner. The couple is expected to appear in court soon.

Court documents reveal that McKinsey was engaged in a heated custody battle with his estranged wife, Candice Jang, the couple’s daughter. The dispute included allegations of child abuse against McKinsey, which he denied. In 2023, Jang reported to police that McKinsey had physically disciplined one of their children roughly, including an incident where he allegedly struck their six-year-old son in the face during a disagreement over Lego, leaving a noticeable hand-shaped bruise. Jang also accused McKinsey of domestic violence dating back to 2018, claiming he bruised her wrist by grabbing it forcefully.

McKinsey was charged with child cruelty and corporal injury but pleaded not guilty in both cases. He was released on bail with conditions including completion of parenting classes. Earlier last year, Jang obtained a domestic violence protection order against him. In response, McKinsey sought a reciprocal order and filed for divorce, requesting increased visitation rights for their three children, as he had been restricted to two hours of supervised visits per week. Additionally, McKinsey alleged in court filings that his mother-in-law used homophobic slurs directed at him and one of their children and accused Jang of abusive behavior during medical procedures related to his transition.

McKinsey transitioned from female to male in 2010 and married Jang in 2011. Prior to joining The New York Times, he studied at the University of California, Berkeley, and worked as an engineering manager at the software firm Splunk.

The investigation into the shooting remains ongoing as authorities continue to examine the circumstances surrounding the tragic event amid the family’s ongoing legal disputes.