Zhang Fan, along with her father and four others, was convicted of murdering a woman at a McDonald’s restaurant in Zhaoyuan, Shandong, on May 28, 2014. The investigative agency identified the offenders as members of The Church of Almighty God (also known as "Eastern Lightning") after discovering materials and publications related to the group in their homes. Authorities blamed the murder to brainwashing by the cult, identifying Zhang Fan as a leading figure in organising the group's underground activities as well as the attack.
The CCTV footage of the incident was made public, drawing nationwide attention due to the brutality of the crime and reinforcing concerns about the social impact of so-called "evil cults." Zhang Fan and co-defendants were arrested and charged with intentional homicide and utilising a cult organization to undermine the implementation of the law. Her legal counsel requested a mental health assessment, but the court denied the request, ruling that she had full criminal responsibility.
On October 11, 2014, the Yantai Intermediate People's Court sentenced Zhang Fan and her father, Zhang Lidong, to death, while the other accomplices received varying prison terms. Ultimately, the Supreme People’s Court upheld the death sentence on January 26, 2015, and Zhang Fan was executed on February 2, 2015. The case intensified China’s nationwide crackdown on "evil cults," leading to the arrest of thousands of "Eastern Lightning" followers across the country.
In 2018, this case was officially designated as a model case by the Supreme People's Court, underscoring the government’s commitment to severely punishing crimes that endanger national security and involve terrorist activities.