The two major crimes were a robbery and a mass murder. In the robbery, 69,000 yuan was stolen from teachers of the Shimo Primary School who were on their way to deposit the money. Later, a mass murder occurred in Sanchang Village, resulting in 11 deaths, including a two-year-old child.
The mastermind was Zhang Qinghai, who was related to the 11 victims. He had a personal vendetta against them, which culminated in the mass murder.
Zhang Qinghai's motive was revenge. He had harbored deep-seated resentment against his relatives due to past conflicts and mistreatment, particularly from his uncle's family. This led him to orchestrate the mass murder as an act of retribution.
Zhang Qinghai's childhood was marked by abandonment and neglect. His mother left when he was three, and he grew up in a poor, single-parent household. He was frequently bullied by his cousins, which fostered feelings of isolation and anger. These factors, combined with his father's murder, fueled his desire for revenge and led to his criminal actions.
Zhang Qinghai was arrested and executed by firing squad in November 1999. He was responsible for the deaths of 12 people, including the 11 victims in Sanchang Village and a taxi driver he killed earlier.
Liu Yun'an's motive was revenge and betrayal. He felt deceived and exploited by Chen Aiqin, who had manipulated him for financial gain and then abandoned him. This led him to commit the brutal murders of Chen, her partner Feng Xianwei, and her two children.
Liu Yun'an's relationship with Chen Aiqin deteriorated due to her infidelity and manipulation. She repeatedly used him for financial support while maintaining a relationship with Feng Xianwei. After being publicly humiliated and rejected, Liu Yun'an's anger and sense of betrayal culminated in the murders.
Xiao Zhang killed Li Mou by pushing her into a well and then using a bucket to hit her head, preventing her from escaping. He also threw an electrified object into the well to ensure her death.
Xiao Zhang had previously killed his wife in 2014 using a similar method—drowning her in a water tank. He used the same approach to kill his girlfriend Li Mou in 2019, believing he could get away with it again.
Xiao Zhang was arrested and confessed to the murders of both his wife and girlfriend. He faced legal consequences for his crimes, and the case was resolved within 25 hours of investigation.