Eagles Nation Mourns the Heroic Sacrifice of Fallen Delaware State Trooper as Community Unites in Grief

December 26, 2025

Delaware State Police have identified the trooper killed in a tragic 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 lost his life protecting others during a violent incident Tuesday afternoon.

Authorities said the shooting occurred shortly after 2:00 p.m. at the Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles office on Hessler Boulevard in Minquadale. Investigators reported that a 44-year-old suspect entered the DMV as a customer before approaching Snook, who was seated at the reception desk while working an overtime shift. Without warning, the suspect opened fire.

Despite being struck by gunfire, 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 “dependable, professional, and deeply committed.” A lifelong Delaware resident, 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 both within 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 scenes of chaos and terror as gunshots rang out. Several people said they dropped to the floor and crawled toward the walls, while families scrambled to find safety amid the panic. Authorities confirmed that several minor injuries occurred during the evacuation, though no additional gunshot victims were reported.

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.

In the days following the tragedy, an overwhelming outpouring of support has poured in from across Delaware and beyond. In a gesture that resonated deeply with the community, Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts, acting on behalf of the organization, joined several Eagles players in donating $100,000 to help support Snook’s family during this unimaginable loss.

Avery Young, 44, has been identified by authorities as the suspect in the fatal shooting of Delaware State Trooper, Matthew Tyler Snook, at the Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) facility in Wilmington on December 23, 2025. pic.twitter.com/63Lzgl6kR3

— mandala (@mandala_mandy) December 25, 2025

The donation was described by team sources as a sign 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 represent.

As flowers continue to line the entrance of the DMV and tributes pour in from across the region, the legacy of Matthew “Ty” Snook is being remembered not only for how he served — but for how, in the most critical moment, he placed the safety of others above his own.