By Tiffany Williams –
What began as reports of a vehicle crashing into a hotel quickly unfolded into a major shooting investigation involving local and state law enforcement, a critically injured hotel guest and a deceased suspect.
The story was first reported by NewsTalk New England during the early morning hours Thursday as police activity surrounded the Sturbridge Plaza Hotel at 400 Haynes Street in Sturbridge.
Shortly before 1 a.m. on June 18, officers from the Sturbridge Police Department, Southbridge Police Department and Massachusetts State Police assigned to the Sturbridge Barracks responded to reports of a vehicle being driven into the Sturbridge Plaza Hotel.
Additional reports indicated shots had been fired into the hotel.
Investigators now say those gunshots struck a guest staying at the hotel.
According to preliminary investigators, the suspect drove to the hotel in an attempt to locate two individuals known to the suspect.
When officers arrived, they located a guest suffering from an apparent gunshot wound.
The victim was transported to Harrington Hospital before being flown by medical helicopter to UMass Memorial Medical Center’s Lakeside Campus.
Authorities said the victim remains in critical condition.
Investigators do not currently believe the victim was one of the individuals the suspect had been seeking.
As officers worked to bring the situation under control, two police officers and a Massachusetts State Police trooper made contact with the suspect.
Authorities said the suspect then discharged her firearm again.
Investigators say the gunfire resulted in a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Emergency medical personnel immediately began extensive life-saving efforts at the scene.
Officials said EMS personnel utilized a LUCAS device while attempting to save the suspect’s life.
Despite those efforts, the suspect was pronounced deceased.
Authorities have not released the names of either the suspect or the critically injured victim.
The investigation remains in its earliest stages.
Investigators say the inquiry will continue in the coming days and involves multiple specialized units.
The Sturbridge Police Department is leading the investigation alongside Massachusetts State Police Detectives assigned to the Worcester County District Attorney’s Office.
Also assisting are members of State Police Crime Scene Services, the State Police Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Section, the State Police Firearms Identification Section and the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner.
The dramatic scene drew a significant law enforcement response overnight.
A dark-colored SUV could be seen lodged in the hotel building near the pool area.
Video from the scene showed the vehicle embedded in a first-floor section of the three-story hotel.
Officials said there appeared to be no additional structural damage beyond the area where the SUV struck the building.
The vehicle remained in place for several hours while investigators processed the scene.
Police and crime scene personnel were observed examining the SUV, searching the surrounding area and placing evidence markers throughout the scene.
The SUV was eventually towed away later in the morning.
Earlier in the investigation, police had confirmed only that they were investigating a shooting connected to a crash at the hotel and urged the public to avoid speculation while detectives gathered facts.
An eyewitness staying at the hotel reported hearing gunshots before looking outside.
According to the witness, a woman drove an SUV into the side of the hotel before exiting the vehicle.
The witness said the woman was shouting, “Where are you? Where are you?” before firing three shots.
Authorities have not publicly confirmed details provided by the witness.
Investigators spent hours documenting evidence at the scene as members of the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner and Massachusetts State Police continued their work.
While many questions remain unanswered, authorities emphasized Thursday that there is no ongoing threat to the public.
What led the suspect to the hotel, the circumstances surrounding the individuals investigators say she was attempting to locate and the events that unfolded in the moments before the shooting remain under active investigation.
Officials say additional information will be released as it becomes available.