Two months prior to the murders, he visited a psychiatrist in Tonghua, which improved his mood, and he and his wife afterwards made trips to Shanghai, Suzhou, and Hangzhou.

[2] On the morning of 24 September 2006, Shi drove to Ermi in Tonghua County where he killed Li Zhenjun in his home, as well as Wang Yuliang, a health inspector who had once punished him.

Shi then drove to Liunan Township in Liuhe County, where he killed shop owner Liu Guohua, who had refused to sell his meat.

On 27 September, Shi murdered Sun Honglian and his wife, who were living secluded on a mountain near Tonggou and escaped again, while 2,000 police officers rushed to the crime scene.

On 28 September, the Ministry of Public Security issued a Class-A warrant and offered a reward of 50,000 yuan for information that would lead to his arrest.