A peaceful afternoon at a Delaware DMV turned into tragedy when a state trooper was ambushed and fatally shot, prompting a deadly standoff with police.
According to CNN, Delaware State Police Cpl. Matthew “Ty” Snook, a ten-year veteran, was killed inside the New Castle DMV on Tuesday after being shot by Rahman Rose, who later died following an exchange of gunfire with law enforcement.
Snook had been posted at the DMV’s reception desk on overtime duty when Rose, 44, of Wilmington, entered the building posing as a customer.
Shooting Unfolds Inside Public Government Office
Without warning, Rose approached from behind and opened fire on the unsuspecting officer using a handgun. Despite being mortally wounded, Snook still managed to shove a DMV employee out of danger, urging them to run—heroism in the face of unprovoked, senseless violence.
In an unexpected move, Rose allowed the civilians inside the DMV to leave the building. It's a small mercy in an otherwise horrifying attack, but it doesn’t do a thing to mitigate the evil he had already committed.
Once law enforcement responded to the active shooter reports, Rose opened fire on the arriving officers. Instead of surrendering—something a reasonable person might expect from a "customer" in a public facility—he chose a firefight.
Law Enforcement Responds With Deadly Force
A New Castle County officer neutralized the threat by shooting Rose through a window from outside the building. Rose later died from his injuries at a nearby hospital—a justified end to a cold-blooded crime.
Cpl. Snook’s record of service speaks volumes. He spent a decade faithfully serving Delaware, and his sacrifice stands in stark contrast to the cowardice displayed by his killer.
On Wednesday, the state showed what a real community looks like. As Cpl. Snook’s body was transported from the state medical examiner’s office to a funeral home. Troopers, police, firefighters, and grateful citizens lined Delaware’s roads to honor a fallen protector.
Community Support Sends Clear Message
State Police Superintendent William Crotty summarized the meaning of that show of support: “It serves as a reminder that Snook’s service and sacrifice will not be forgotten.”
Crotty’s words echo a sentiment many Americans feel when law enforcement is targeted. The overwhelming majority of people in this nation support the men and women in blue who put their lives on the line daily, not those exploiting broken systems or turning public spaces into war zones.
The shooting is still under investigation, and authorities are urging anyone with information to contact detectives. Transparency and accountability are vital—and so is ensuring we never normalize this kind of violence.
Violence in Public Places Raises Serious Concerns
This wasn’t an alley or a highway confrontation—it was a state government office during regular hours. Americans have every reason to expect peace and protection in places like the DMV, not bullet casings and bloodshed.
The left may debate priorities endlessly, but those on the ground know the truth: safety isn’t guaranteed by slogans, it’s guaranteed by brave Americans like Cpl. Snook, who wears the badge with honor and doesn’t flinch in the face of danger. There is no “context” that justifies ambushing a state trooper. And there’s certainly no ideology—or excuse—that should stop us from calling this what it was: an execution of a public servant doing his job.
