Delaware State trooper killed in DMV shooting identified
Delaware trooper killed at Wilmington DMV remembered as hero
Delaware State Police mourn the loss of Corporal Matthew "Ty" Snook, killed at the DMV in Wilmington. Corporal Snook was a 10-year veteran, leaving behind a wife and a one-year-old daughter.
WILMINGTON, De. - Officials have identified the Delaware State Police trooper who was shot and killed in a DMV in Wilmington on Tuesday.
Delaware State Police trooper killed
Delaware State Police Corporal Grade One Matthew T. "Ty" Snook. (Credit: Delaware State Police)
What we know:
Matthew "Ty" Snook was killed in the shooting in Wilmington on Tuesday, Dec. 23, the Delaware State Police announced on Wednesday.
Police say the 34-year-old trooper was working an overtime shift when he was shot and killed.
His body was transported from the medical examiner's office Wednesday afternoon. C
Corporal Snook was a 10-year veteran of the department and a Delaware native. He is survived by his wife and their one-year-old daughter.
Delaware DMV shooting
The backstory:
The shooting happened just after 2 p.m. Tuesday, at the DMV office on Hessler Boulevard in Wilmington.
According to officials, the 44-year-old suspect walked into the DMV as a customer, before walking up to Snook and shooting him. Snook then pushed a DMV employee out of the way of the shooter, before the suspect shot Snook again.
Other officers shot and killed the shooter.
Snook died from his injuries shortly after. One other trooper suffered a minor, non-gunshot-related injury. One woman was also hospitalized for a minor injury.
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What we don't know:
Officials have not yet identified the suspected shooter.
Delaware community responds
What they're saying:
Delaware State Police called Snook "a respected colleague, a trusted partner, and a beloved member of both the Delaware State Police and the community he served."
In an online fundraising campaign for Snook's family, the Delaware State Troopers Association called Snook "a loving husband, 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 organization wrote, adding that "as a Trooper, Ty served the people of Delaware with courage, integrity and selflessness."
Local perspective:
Wilmington resident Sharon Clay expressed her shock, saying, "The police officer was sitting there doing his job, and for this man to come in and do what he did. It's awful."
New Castle resident Darla Foxx described the overwhelming response from law enforcement, noting, "I live right off of the main drive, Memorial Drive, and all of a sudden I was at the stoplight and I saw all these trooper cars."
Memorial and tributes
A flower arrangement was placed at the DMV doors, and the shattered window glass was replaced.
At Troop 6, where Snook was assigned, there has been an outpouring of support.
Foxx added, "He did die a hero. I did hear that he protected another employee from getting shot."
The community continues to show support as a steady stream of visitors stopped by to acknowledge Snook’s service.
A procession with his casket passed by on the way to the funeral home.
Delaware State Police have expressed gratitude to Snook's family, stating, "We are forever grateful to them for sharing 'Ty' with us."
What you can do:
Snook's family has started a "Help a Hero" campaign, raising money to help with expenses. More information about that fundraiser can be found by clicking here.
What's next:
No funeral arrangements for Snook have been announced.
The Source: Information in this story is from the Delaware State Police and previous FOX 29 reports.