TUCSON, Ariz. -- A gunman dressed in camouflage went on a shooting spree Sunday morning, shooting a Tucson police officer in the head and wounding two Pima County sheriff’s deputies, authorities said. The incident began just before 10 a.m. when a man, later identified as David Delich, 26, armed with an assault rifle, shot at two homes, Sheriff’s Department Bureau Chief Rick Kastigar said. No one in the homes was injured, Kastigar said. Kastigar said a sheriff’s deputy spotted Delich in a red Mustang convertible and began chasing him. Kastigar said Delich shot the deputy in the right shoulder. Other officers caught up with the Mustang and the chase resumed. Kastigar said when the driver made an abrupt left turn, he fired at a Tucson officer and hit him in the head. He is identified as Erik Hite, 43. A helicopter took the officer to a hospital in critical condition. He is on life support. Tucson Police Chief Richard Miranda said Hite is married and has a daughter who turns 1 next week, as well as a son in the armed forces now stationed in San Antonio. The gunman got on Catalina Highway and shot another deputy, resulting in a non-life-threatening wound to the head, Kastigar said. Delich was later taken into custody in connection with the shootings as dozens of law enforcement officers raced to the scene. A background check showed that Delich has been arrested on criminal trespassing, a marijuana violation and possession of drug paraphernalia.

-Husband, father of two a daughter almost one year old and a son in the Armed Forces, Officer Hite died today. May he forever Rest In Peace.



Police Officer Erik Hite
Tucson Police Department
Arizona
End of Watch: Monday, June 2, 2008

Biographical Info
Age: 43
Tour of Duty: 4 years
Badge Number: Not available

Incident Details
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: Sunday, June 1, 2008
Weapon Used: Rifle
Suspect Info: Apprehended

Officer Erik Hite succumbed to a gunshot wound sustained the previous day by a suspect who was fleeing deputies from the Pima County Sheriff’s Department.

The suspect had shot and wounded two deputies who had responded to two homes that the suspect had fired a rifle into. The suspect then fled the home in a vehicle, with one of the wounded deputies in pursuit.

During the pursuit the suspect suddenly made a U-turn and fired at Officer Hite, who was sitting in his patrol car.

The suspect continued to flee but stopped his vehicle a short time later and surrendered.

Officer Hite had served was a U.S. Air Force veteran and had served with the Tucson Police Department for 4 years. He is survived by his wife, son, daughter, and parents.

Agency Contact Information
Tucson Police Department
270 S. Stone Ave
Tucson, AZ 85701

Phone: (520) 791-4444

Please contact the Tucson Police Department for funeral arrangements or for survivor benefit fund information.