Gunman Executes Hero Cop at DMV

Close-up of police lights flashing in blue and red at night

Delaware State Trooper heroically saved a civilian before a gunman executed him in cold blood at a busy DMV, then deliberately ambushed responding officers in an act labeled “pure evil.”

Story Snapshot

Trooper Cpl. Matthew T. “Ty” Snook, 34, killed on December 23, 2025, after pushing DMV employee to safety during targeted attack.
Rahman Rose, 44, from Wilmington, allowed dozens of civilians to flee unharmed before firing at police and being stopped by return fire.
First Delaware State Police line-of-duty death since 2017, highlighting dangers faced by officers protecting public spaces.
Governor calls attack “pure evil,” praising Snook’s heroism and rapid police response amid ongoing motive investigation.

Attack Unfolds at New Castle DMV

On December 23, 2025, around 2:00 PM, Rahman Rose, a 44-year-old Wilmington resident, entered the Karen L. Johnson Division of Motor Vehicles in New Castle County posing as a customer. He approached Delaware State Trooper Cpl. Grade One Matthew T. “Ty” Snook from behind at the reception desk. Rose shot Snook multiple times with a handgun. Snook, on overtime security detail, pushed a DMV employee to safety before sustaining fatal wounds. The busy afternoon facility held dozens of civilians at the time.

Gunman Releases Civilians, Sets Ambush

After shooting Snook, Rose allowed dozens of customers to exit the building unharmed. He remained inside, waiting specifically for law enforcement to arrive. When responding officers approached, Rose opened fire on them. A New Castle County police officer spotted Rose and shot him through a window, striking him fatally. Rose died later at a hospital. This deliberate release of civilians underscores the targeted nature of the assault against police.

Heroic Trooper and Community Toll

Cpl. Snook, a 10-year veteran from Hockessin and University of Maryland wrestling graduate, leaves behind a wife and 1-year-old daughter. Delaware State Police describe him as dependable and professional, a trusted partner devoted to family. Three others suffered injuries: another trooper with a non-life-threatening gunshot wound and two civilians with non-gunshot injuries. This marks the first DSP line-of-duty death since Cpl. Stephen Ballard’s 2017 killing and the first statewide officer death in four years.

Governor Matt Meyer condemned the incident as an “act of pure evil,” lauding the heroism of Snook and responding troopers. DSP identified Rose on December 26, detailing the sequence at a press conference following initial updates on December 24. No motive has surfaced; investigation continues.

Immediate Aftermath and Security Fallout

Statewide DMV closures followed the shooting, with all sites except the New Castle location reopening by December 29. The event disrupts routine public services and heightens fears in everyday spaces like motor vehicle offices. Short-term implications include reviews of officer safety protocols, especially for overtime assignments at public facilities. Long-term, expect policy shifts bolstering security and support for law enforcement families.

Communities in Wilmington and New Castle County mourn Snook, whose actions saved lives and exemplify the selflessness conservatives champion in blue-line heroes. DSP morale faces strain from this rare but devastating loss, amid national attention on targeted attacks against police. President Trump’s administration, focused on law-and-order priorities, reinforces the need to back officers shielding Americans from such threats. Economic ripples from closures affect residents needing services, amplifying frustrations with vulnerabilities in public infrastructure.