TUCSON, Ariz. (AP) _ A Tucson police officer died Monday, a day after being shot in the head during a crosstown chase and shooting spree.

Officer Erik Hite, 43, died at 12:53 p.m. at University Medical Center, police spokesman Sgt. Mark Robinson said. Robinson said Hite had been on a ventilator initially but was breathing on his own when he died.

He was surrounded by his family, including his wife, Nohemy, a son in the military who had arrived from San Antonio, and his parents, who had flown in from Portland, Ore.

Hite and his wife also have a daughter who will be a year old next week.

Two Pima County sheriff's deputies suffered lesser injuries on Sunday.

David Nickolas Delich, 25, surrendered to law officers on Sunday on Mount Lemmon after a chase covering about 20 miles and a series of shootings.

Earlier Monday, before Hite died, a magistrate ordered Delich held on $2.5 million bond in the Pima County Jail on suspicion of attempted first-degree murder, aggravated assault and discharging a firearm at a structure.

Hite, 43, joined the police force four years ago after 21 years in the Air Force.

Investigators believe the suspect confronted a neighbor several weeks ago, which in turn may have led to his allegedly firing several dozen rounds Sunday into the neighbor's home and another next door.

The shots and calls to 911 triggered a cross-town chase by sheriff's deputies and Tucson police and resulted in Hite's shooting, which was sandwiched between less serious shooting injuries to two sheriff's deputies.

Rick Kastigar, Pima County Sheriff's criminal investigations chief, said Delich and the neighbor share a common open space between their back yards. He said Delich allegedly engaged the neighbor in ``an unprovoked verbal confrontation'' about six weeks ago.

The neighbor brushed off the incident, but three weeks later Delich allegedly climbed onto the homeowner's back wall and made additional ``inquisitive and nonsensical'' but nonthreatening comments, Kastigar said.

On Sunday morning, about 40 rounds were fired into the neighbor's home with an assault-style rifle, and a similar number of shots hit the home next door, Kastigar said. ``It's our belief that that may be what precipitated the gunman firing on the one home,'' he said. ``We don't know if there was any confrontation or there were words exchanged'' with residents in the second home.  The first neighbor ``knew the individual lived behind him but didn't recognize him'' initially, Kastigar said.

Delich surrendered to officers Sunday at a campground on Mount Lemmon and subsequently was interviewed by Tucson police.

Investigators obtained a search warrant and found three assault-style rifles, two pistols and thousands of rounds of ammunition in his car, Kastigar said.

``He had dozens of magazines fully loaded and thousands of rounds. He also had some camping gear and supplies for perhaps an extended stay,'' Kastigar added.

Investigators also searched Delich's home, but Kastigar declined to discuss what they found there.

Attorney Brick Storts, who has represented both Delich and his father before, appeared on the suspect's behalf at Monday's initial appearance, where prosecutor David Berkman requested a $5 million bond. Tucson City Court Magistrate Tony Riojas set the bond at half that amount.

Delich was booked Sunday night on suspicion of four counts of attempted first-degree murder, three counts of aggravated assault and two counts of discharging a firearm at a structure.

In an interview before Hite's death, Storts said Delich had been through at least one marijuana-related misdemeanor diversion program previously. ``I had represented him six years ago on some severe mental problems,'' Storts added. ``It would appear this is going to be a further extension of those same problems.''

Storts did not elaborate on the previous case.

Sheriff's deputies Eric Cervantez and Tony Schwartz, who were less seriously shot, were treated and released. Cervantez was shot in his shoulder and Schwartz suffered a bullet graze wound to his head.

The 100 Club of Arizona has set up an account for the Officer's family. A donation may be made directly at any Wells Fargo Bank location. Just ask for the TPOA Officer Erik Hite benefit fund. It's account # 2475164071







Rest in Peace Officer Hite
Kevin Lewis