Ambushed Tucson Police Dies, Shooter Faces Murder Charges

June 2, 2008 11:59 p.m. EST

Tucson, AZ (AHN) - A Tucson police officer shot in the head on Sunday by a man driving a car to escape pursuing police died Monday.

Erik Hite, 43, passed away at 1 p.m. at the University Medical Center in Pima County, where he and two other deputy sheriffs shot by the suspect, David Nicholas Delich, 25, were taken for treatment. The deputies were released from the hospital on Monday.

Delich was arrested on Sunday and charged with murder, attempted murder, and aggravated assault. The Pima County filed separate charges of attempted murder and shooting into a structure.

Rick Kastigar, criminal investigations chief for the sheriff's department, recounted the shooting incident to Abc15.com and the Tucson Citizen.

On Sunday, Delich, who was suspected of shooting at homes in North Placita de la Manzana, was spotted by deputy Eric Cervantes. The two exchanged gunfire and the policeman was shot in the shoulder. Delich drove away on his red Mustang and other police gave chase.

Delich passed by Hite, who was sitting in his cruiser. Delich shot Hite and drove away

Along the Catalina Highway, the suspect shot at another policeman, who was not hit. The police finally caught up with the suspect at Molino Basin and he surrendered. His car yielded several weapons and ammunition.