Authorities and family members have identified the suspect shot and killed after a bank robbery and chase through several Valley cities.
Family members say the man killed by police near Baseline Road and Interstate 10 is 31-year-old Steven Delrio.
"Steven chose a day like this to do whatever he did," said Joseph Santeyan, who says he is the suspect's brother-in-law.
Phoenix police say three officers fired at Delrio. His family does not fault law enforcement for having to make that choice.
"I understand why they did it," said Santeyan%page_break%. Another relative, a cousin who did not want to be identified, said police were just doing their job.
Multiple agencies followed Delrio and two others from the Credit Union West near Litchfield Road and Van Buren Street to Tempe, which undercover officers were able to pin the suspect vehicle before it reached the interstate.
The other suspects got out of the vehicle during the chase and were apprehended by law enforcement. Their identities have not been released.
Court records detail Delrio has a violent history that dates to 2004. He has served time for DUI, aggravated assault, armed robbery and fleeing police.
He was most recently released from prison three months ago, and family members thought he had changed.
"I knew he was trying to do right. He was just trying to do right." said a cousin.
"If he was under the right influence, maybe this day wouldn't have occurred," said Santeyan.
Sources tell ABC15 that Delrio and his two accomplices are suspected of being involved in several other bank robberies. The FBI is handling that part of the investigation, though officials declined to comment when reached Tuesday.
