Delaware DMV set to reopen months after state trooper’s murder

The Delaware DMV, where a state trooper was shot and killed last year, is set to reopen next week.

The Division of Motor Vehicles on Hessler Boulevard in Wilmington, New Castle County, is accepting appointments for services ahead of its opening on Tuesday, March 10, 2026.

Corporal Matthew “Ty” Snook was shot and killed there just days before Christmas. The man who shot him, Rahman Rose, 44, was killed by police.

The DMV had been closed ever since.

The murder of Cpl/1 Matthew T. “Ty” Snook

On Dec. 23, 2025, at 11:30 a.m., Rahman Rose entered the Karen L. Johnson DMV in New Castle, Delaware, and took a seat in the driver services area. He then exited a short time later without contacting anyone or conducting any business, officials said.

Rose returned to the DMV shortly before 2 p.m. that day and obtained a queue ticket from the welcome desk where Cpl/1 Snook and a DMV employee were stationed, according to investigators. At that point, there was no interaction between Snook and Rose who once again sat in the driver services area, officials said.

About three minutes later, Rose approached Cpl/1 Snook from behind, took out a handgun and opened fire, shooting Cpl/1 Snook over the glass partition, according to investigators.

After being shot, Cpl/1 Snook shielded the DMV worker from harm and was once again struck by gunfire, officials said.

At the time of the shooting, Rose allowed and encouraged several customers to leave the DMV while he remained inside, according to investigators. Rose then appeared to wait for responding police officers. Officials said Rose only fired additional shots at the responding officers, supporting their belief that he was only targeting law enforcement in the shooting.

At 2:07 p.m., a New Castle County Police officer who responded to the scene shot Rose through a window from outside the building.

Both Snook and Rose were taken to the hospital, where they were both later pronounced dead.

A second trooper had non-life-threatening injuries and did not have to go to a hospital. A 40-year-old woman was taken to the hospital for minor, non-gunshot-related injuries. A 35-year-old woman was also evaluated for shortness of breath and declined transport to the hospital.

Delaware State Police described Cpl/1 Snook as “an exemplary Trooper and a devoted father, husband, son, brother and friend.”

“Ty’s courageous act of strength and sacrifice reflected the core values he lived by every day – protecting others with bravery, selflessness, and steadfast integrity,” a Delaware State Police spokesperson wrote. “Ty leaves a legacy that will continue to inspire all who knew him.”

What we know about Rahman Rose

Prior to the shooting, Rose – who had lived in Connecticut but was most recently staying in the Wilmington area – had told those who knew him that he believed police were targeting him and that he was concerned law enforcement was coming after him, investigators said.

Rose had also posted anti-police content on social media and claimed he was the victim of “gang stalking,” believing he was constantly being watched and harassed by the government and law enforcement entities.

Investigators believe Rose acted alone and found no evidence that he had conspired with others in the attack.

Investigators also said that Rose had limited contact with Delaware law enforcement prior to the shooting but none of those interactions were criminal in nature, resulted in an arrest or involved Cpl/1 Snook. Detectives determined the shooting was a “deliberate and targeted attack on law enforcement.”