Suspect shoots self in standoff, police say

By Globe Staff

A suspect in the death of a woman whose body was found in Fitchburg Friday shot himself today during a standoff with police at a Westminster motel, authorities said.

Ha Yang, 25, was being sought after the discovery of the woman in his 80 Grove St. apartment at about 7:30 p.m. Friday, said Tim Connolly, a spokesman for Worcester District Attorney Joseph D. Early Jr. The woman has not been identified, but police called the case a homicide and ordered an autopsy.

Yang was surrounded today by police at the Rodeway Inn for several hours. After officers shot tear gas into the room, they heard a single gunshot and later found Yang, who was shot in the head.

He was taken to Leominster Hospital and transferred to UMass Memorial Medical Center in Worcester.