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.
State Police say 34-year-old Corporal Grade One Matthew T. “Ty” Snook of Hockessin was killed in the incident.
The shooting took place Tuesday afternoon around two. State Police say a 44-year-old man at the DMV as a customer walked over to the reception desk where Corporal Grade One Snook was working an overtime assignment, and shot Snook. According to the initial investigation, Snook pushed a DMV employee out of the way before being shot again.
Multiple law enforcement agencies responded to the scene and, according to State Police, a New Castle County police officer shot the suspect.
Corporal Grade One Snook and shooter were both taken to the hospital where they each died.
"Our Trooper loved his community. He served with honor and integrity and his life was cut short by senseless violence. His last actions were that of a hero - a hero who saved lives today while sacrificing his own," said Delaware State Police Superintendent Col. William Crotty.
He made the ultimate sacrifice to protect his fellow Delawareans and our heart breaks for his family," said Gov. Matt Meyer. "There are Delawareans who are alive tonight because of his heroism."
Snook was a 10-year veteran of the Delaware State Police and is survived by a wife and one year old daughter.
He was a Delaware native and a graduate of Saint Mark’s High School and the University of Maryland. He wrestled at both schools. He won an individual state title at 171 pounds as a senior a St. Mark's in 2009 and the team took Division I dual team championship that same season. Snook earned a scholarship to Maryland where we competed from 2009 to 2014.
Funeral arrangements are not yet available, but the family’s permission State Police is sharing information about an official fund to support his family. That can be found at the Help A Hero website.
State Police report a second trooper sustained a minor, non-gunshot-related injury, and did not go to the hospital.. A 40-year-old woman was taken to the hospital for minor, non-gunshot-related injuries while a 35-year-old woman was evaluated for shortness of breath, but refused to go to the hospital.
Delaware's Congressional delegation offered their condolences in the wake to the shooting.
"Every day, Delaware law enforcement puts their lives on the line — a fact that this senseless act of violence tragically reinforces. My prayers are with the family, friends, and colleagues of the State Trooper killed while defending Delawareans today at the DMV. Let us never become numb to the pain and loss that violence leaves behind. This holiday season, there will be a family mourning a loved one who, today, woke up, put on the uniform, and gave everything in defense of all of us.," said Congresswoman Sarah McBride in a statement.
"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.
