Delaware trooper killed in DMV shooting identified

A Delaware State Police trooper killed in a shooting at a DMV facility in Wilmington has been identified as Corporal Grade One Matthew T. “Ty” Snook, according to officials. Authorities said Snook died after being shot while working an overtime assignment.

The shooting occurred at about 2 p.m. Tuesday at the Karen L. Johnson Division of Motor Vehicles on Hessler Boulevard in Wilmington, according to the Delaware State Police.

State police said a 44-year-old man entered the DMV as a customer and later approached Snook as he sat at a reception desk before opening fire. Authorities said Snook was shot and then pushed a DMV employee out of harm’s way before he was shot again.

Police said a New Castle County police officer confronted the suspect and fatally shot him at the scene.

Several people suffered minor, non-gunshot-related injuries, authorities said. A 40-year-old woman was taken to a hospital for evaluation, a 35-year-old woman was evaluated for shortness of breath and declined transport, and a second state trooper was evaluated for a minor injury and was not transported by EMS.

Snook, 34, of Hockessin, was a 10-year veteran of the Delaware State Police. He joined the agency in March 2015 as a member of the 88th Recruit Class and was assigned to Troop 6 at Prices Corner, serving on C-shift throughout his career, police said.

A native of Delaware, Snook graduated from Saint Mark’s High School and the University of Maryland, where he was a member of the wrestling team, according to state police.

Authorities said Snook is survived by his wife and their one-year-old daughter. The motive for the shooting has not been released.