Delaware State Police say a State Trooper is dead following a shooting at the Department of Motor Vehicles facility on Hessler Boulevard in Wilmington Tuesday.
Police posted on social media about the shooting at 2:18 Tuesday afternoon, calling it an active shooter incident. They posted about a half hour later that there was no longer an active shooter and a suspect was in custody.
Gov. Matt Meyer, posting on social media shortly before 3 pm, added there was no longer an active threat to the public and that the shooter was dead.
"Law enforcement acted swiftly to secure the scene, and the shooter has been confirmed deceased," Meyer wrote.
About 45 minutes later, State Police announced that one Delaware State Trooper was killed in the incident, and they are continuing to assess additional injuries. Later in the afternoon, State Police also confirmed the shooter was dead.
State Police also say a second trooper was evaluated for minor, non-gunshot-related injury, and was not transported by EMS. A 40-year-woman was taken to an area hospital for minor, non-gunshot-related injuries while a 35-year-old woman was evaluated for shortness of breath, but refused transport to the hospital.
The Delaware Dept. of Justice says it is supporting the investigation.
"The Attorney General is in communication with Delaware State Police and Governor Meyer and has dispatched senior prosecutors to Hessler Boulevard to assist with the investigation. We will defer to DSP on appropriate disclosure of any information about its investigation," said DOJ spokesman Mat Marshall.
"The DOJ will provide any and all support that we can to State Police and the Department of Safety & Homeland Security. We are praying for the law enforcement family."
Delaware's Congressional delegation also offered their condolences in the wake to the shooting.
"I have been briefed on the tragic shooting at the Wilmington DMV. I am praying for all of those impacted, including our brave law enforcement officers. I continue to be in touch with state officials as we all gain more information," said Congresswoman Sarah McBride in a social media post on X.
"“I am heartbroken by today’s shooting at the Wilmington DMV that took the life of a Delaware State Trooper just two days before Christmas. This officer put on their uniform this morning and went to work to make our community safer. Now, they will never come home. This is devastating for their family, their fellow officers, and our entire state, " said Sen. Chris Coons in a statement. "Our law enforcement community is a strong one – knit together through courage and a determination to serve. I’m grateful for their brave actions today that likely saved lives. Annie and I are praying for the loved ones of this dedicated public servant and our entire law enforcement community."
"Today is a tragic one for our State. The shooting at the Division of Motor Vehicles on Hessler Boulevard that took the life of a Delaware State Trooper and caused pain for so many others is devastating," said Sen. Lisa Blunt Rochester in a statement. "The holiday season should be about joy and celebration, not senseless acts of violence. I am thankful for the swift and courageous action by law enforcement who worked immediately to counter the threat. As details of the investigation become more available, I am praying for those impacted and for our State,”
This State Trooper’s death is the first death of an officer in the line of duty in Delaware in over four years. The last was Delmar Police Cpl. Keith Heacook who was assaulted on April 25, 2021 and died of his injuries days later.
The last State Trooper to die in the line of duty was Cpl. Stephen Ballard, who was shot and killed in April 2017 outside of a Wawa in Bear while investigating a vehicle.
This is a developing story. We will have updates as they become available.
