State trooper killed in a shooting at Delaware DMV hailed as a hero

Delaware officials lauded the heroic actions of a state trooper who was killed in a shooting at a Department of Motor Vehicles location in Wilmington on Tuesday.

The deadly incident began when an armed man entered the office at 2 p.m. and shot the trooper who was working an overtime shift at the DMV reception desk, according to the Delaware State Police. The trooper, who was identified on Wednesday as Cpl. Matthew T. “Ty” Snook, 34, shoved an employee out of the way before being shot again.

Snook died at a local hospital.

Multiple law enforcement agencies responded to the shooting, including a New Castle police officer who confronted the gunman. The shooter, a 44-year-old man, was fatally shot in the confrontation.

A woman who said she witnessed the deadly shooting of a Delaware State Trooper at a DMV office in New Castle, Del. recounts the incident that also left the shooter dead. NBC10’s Lili Zheng has the story. 

Authorities have not yet publicly identified the gunman or disclosed a possible motive for the shooting.

The incident is a reminder that troopers face danger even in the most routine work, said Joshua Bushweller, secretary of the state Safety and Homeland Security Department.

“Two days before Christmas, we lost a hero, a dedicated member of the Delaware State Police family, who literally woke up this morning, put on his uniform like he did every day, and he went to work to serve the people of our state,” Bushweller said.

Two other people suffered injuries not related to gunshots. One was another state trooper and the other was a 40-year-old woman who was transported to the hospital.

Delaware Gov. Matt Meyer praised the trooper who was killed as a hero, saying Tuesday that Snook gave the “ultimate sacrifice” in the line of duty.

“What happened today was an act of pure evil, and if not for the heroism of several troopers and other officers, the consequences could have been so much worse,” he said.

Snook was a Delaware native and a 10-year veteran of the Delaware State Police, according to a release. He attended the University of Maryland, where he was a member of the wrestling team.

Snook is survived by his wife and their 1-year-old daughter.

“He was a respected colleague, a trusted partner, and a beloved member of both the Delaware State Police and the community he served,” the Delaware State Police said.

“Our DSP family extends its deepest condolences to the Snook family. We are forever grateful to them for sharing ‘Ty’ with us and for the sacrifices they made in support of his service to the citizens of Delaware.”

An official fund established to support the family describes the officer as a “loving husband, a devoted father, and a deeply cherished friend.”

“Those who knew him remember his steady presence, his kindness, and his unwavering commitment to the people he loved,” the fundraiser’s organizer wrote. “Family meant everything to Ty, and he worked every day to provide, protect, and be present for those closest to him.”

NBC Staff and The Associated Press contributed.