Delaware State Police have identified the trooper who was killed in a shooting at a DMV facility in New Castle County as Corporal Grade One Matthew T. “Ty” Snook, a 10-year veteran of the force who died while protecting others during a violent incident Tuesday afternoon.
Authorities said the shooting occurred shortly after 2 p.m. at the Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles office on Hessler Boulevard in Minquadale.
According to investigators, a 44-year-old suspect entered the DMV as a customer before approaching Snook, who was seated at the reception desk working an overtime shift. The suspect opened fire without warning.
Despite being shot, officials said Snook managed to push a DMV employee out of harm’s way before the suspect fired again. Moments later, a New Castle County police officer confronted the gunman and fatally shot him, bringing the incident to an end.
Snook, 34, of Hockessin, Delaware, was described by state police as a “dependable, professional, and deeply committed trooper.”
A native Delawarean, he graduated from Saint Mark’s High School and later attended the University of Maryland, where he was a member of the wrestling team. Colleagues remembered him as a trusted partner and a respected presence within both the Delaware State Police and the community he served.
He is survived by his wife and their one-year-old daughter.
Witnesses inside the DMV described a scene of chaos and fear as shots rang out. Several people said they dropped to the floor and crawled toward the sides of the building, with families scrambling to get to safety as others were knocked down in the rush to escape.
Delaware State Police Superintendent Colonel William Crotty praised Snook’s actions, calling him a hero whose final moments were defined by courage and selflessness. State officials echoed those sentiments as troopers stood at attention during a solemn procession transferring Snook’s body from Christiana Hospital to the medical examiner’s office in Wilmington.
Governor Matt Meyer said the state had lost “a brother, a son, a husband, and a father,” emphasizing that Snook’s sacrifice saved lives.
Video from inside the DMV later showed what appeared to be a bullet hole in a window and personal belongings scattered across the waiting area. Several minor injuries were reported during the incident, though no additional gunshot victims were identified.
In the days following the tragedy, an outpouring of support has poured in from across Delaware and beyond.
In a gesture that resonated deeply with the community, San Francisco 49ers star running back Christian McCaffrey, acting as a representative for the team, joined several 49ers players in donating $200,000 to help support Snook’s family during this unimaginable loss.
The donation was described as a show of gratitude and respect for a man who gave his life in the line of duty, underscoring the bond between professional athletes and the communities they call home.
As flowers continue to be laid outside the DMV and tributes pour in for a fallen trooper, the legacy of Matthew “Ty” Snook is being remembered not only for how he served, but for how he put others first when it mattered most.
