Police cracked a gun robbery case yesterday morning in Dandong, a city in northeast China's Liaoning Province. The criminal suspect killed himself on the site with a pistol after he was trapped in the store.

Police presence at the site.

The suspect, surnamed Zhang, stepped into a franchised store in Sijing Street, Zhenxing District early yesterday morning when Yu, the shop owner was preparing for business. Zhang pointed the gun at Yu and demanded 30,000 yuan (about US$4,400). Yu fought back and was shot in the face. He then slipped out and lowered the folding door, locking Zhang inside.

The police rushed to the site upon Yu's call. Special force, fire brigade and patrol police all joined the action after Zhang set the store on fire at about eight o'clock.

The storm troops tried to enter the store when Zhang refused to hand over the gun. After a five-minute confrontation, he killed himself with the gun.

The case is under further investigation.