Ty Snook’s Sacrifice: Ambush at the DMV

Delaware State Trooper Cpl. Matthew T. “Ty” Snook paid the ultimate price to protect the public, sacrificing his life to save a civilian from an ambush at the New Castle DMV. On December 23, 2025, gunman Rahman Rose deliberately spared dozens of customers before targeting the responding officers, confirming an act of pure evil directed solely against law enforcement. Snook, a 10-year veteran, pushed a DMV employee to safety before succumbing to his wounds, and his heroic selflessness marks a rare and tragic loss for the Delaware State Police.

Story Snapshot

Rahman Rose, 44, from Wilmington, shot Trooper Snook multiple times at the DMV reception desk on December 23, 2025.
Snook, a 10-year veteran, pushed a DMV employee to safety before succumbing to his wounds.
Rose allowed dozens of civilians to leave unharmed, then waited to fire at arriving police, confirming an act of pure evil against law enforcement.
A New Castle County officer stopped the threat by shooting Rose through a window; both Snook and Rose died at the hospital.

Attack Sequence Unfolds at New Castle DMV

On December 23, 2025, around 2:00 PM, Rahman Rose entered the Karen L. Johnson Division of Motor Vehicles in New Castle County posing as a customer. He approached Cpl. Matthew T. “Ty” Snook from behind at the reception desk. Rose fired multiple handgun shots at Snook, who was working overtime security. Snook pushed a nearby DMV employee to safety amid the gunfire. The 34-year-old trooper from Hockessin, a University of Maryland wrestling graduate with 10 years of service, suffered fatal wounds despite his heroic action. This targeted assault occurred in a busy public facility filled with afternoon visitors.

Delaware State Trooper Ty Snook was hunted by this mentally unstable thug Rahman Rose.

Rahman entered the DMV as a customer, he then shot Trooper Snook from behind with a handgun while he was sitting at a desk.

After being shot, Snook pushed a DMV employee out of the line of… pic.twitter.com/6MZXixtKHc

— Lauren Witzke (@LaurenWitzkeDE) December 28, 2025

Gunman Releases Civilians, Sets Ambush for Police

After shooting Snook, Rose took deliberate action to allow dozens of customers to exit the building unharmed. He remained inside, positioning himself to wait for law enforcement responders. As Delaware State Police and other officers approached, Rose opened fire on them. This selective behavior spared civilians while directly endangering those sworn to protect the public. A second trooper sustained a non-life-threatening gunshot wound during the exchange. Two civilians suffered non-gunshot injuries amid the chaos. The gunman’s restraint toward non-police individuals underscores the premeditated nature of his attack on authority figures.

Quick Police Response Ends the Threat

A New Castle County police officer spotted Rose through a window and fired, striking him. Rose, 44, from Wilmington, later died at a hospital. Delaware State Police confirmed these details on December 26, 2025, during their investigation release. Governor Matt Meyer described the incident as an “act of pure evil,” praising the heroism displayed by responding troopers. DSP leadership remembered Snook as “dependable, professional,” and a “trusted partner” devoted to his wife and 1-year-old daughter. No prior connections between Rose and Snook have surfaced, and the motive remains undisclosed as the probe continues.

Police have identified the suspect as 44 year old Rahman Rose.

Heroism and Rarity in Delaware Law Enforcement History

Snook’s final act exemplifies the selflessness conservatives value in those who uphold law and order against senseless violence. This marks the first Delaware State Police line-of-duty death since Cpl. Stephen Ballard’s 2017 killing and the first statewide officer death in four years. The community mourns a fallen hero who prioritized others’ safety. DSP colleagues highlight his professionalism amid grief. Such targeted attacks on police erode public safety, demanding vigilance to back the thin blue line that protects families and communities from chaos.

The shooting prompted statewide DMV closures, with all sites except the New Castle location reopening by December 29. Short-term disruptions affected routine services, while long-term reviews of officer safety protocols at public facilities loom. Snook’s family, injured responders, and local residents in Wilmington and New Castle bear the emotional weight. National attention spotlights rising threats to law enforcement, reinforcing the need for strong support under President Trump’s pro-police stance that contrasts past administrations’ hesitancy.

Watch the report: Delaware State Police release identity of man accused of fatally shooting trooper at DMV