In a quiet afternoon at the Karen L. Johnson DMV in Wilmington, what started as a normal day turned into tragedy. Rahman Rose, a 44-year-old local from the city, walked in pretending to be just another customer. He headed straight for the reception desk where Cpl. Matthew T. “Ty” Snook was helping out on overtime. Without warning, Rose pulled out a handgun and shot Snook from behind. It happened fast, around 2 p.m. on December 23.
Even as bullets hit him, Snook didn’t think of himself first. He shoved a nearby DMV worker out of the line of fire and yelled for them to run. Rose kept shooting, firing more rounds inside the building. Somehow, in the chaos, Rose let several customers slip out safely. He stayed put, waiting for the cops to show up. When officers from multiple agencies arrived, Rose opened fire on them too.
A New Castle County police officer spotted Rose through a window. From outside, the officer took a shot and hit him. It ended the immediate threat. Snook, badly wounded, got rushed to a hospital nearby. Doctors did everything they could, but he didn’t make it.
Rose was taken to the same place and pronounced dead there as well.
Others got hurt in the mess, but nothing like what Snook faced. A second state trooper had a minor injury, not from a bullet, and didn’t need to go to the hospital. A 40-year-old woman ended up with some small non-gunshot wounds and got treated. Another woman, 35, felt short of breath at the scene but said no to a ride to the ER. It’s a relief no one else lost their life that day.
Ty Snook was more than just a cop—he was a guy who lived for helping people. At 34, from Hockessin, he’d been with the Delaware State Police for 10 solid years. He left behind a wife and their little one-year-old daughter. Friends and colleagues remember him as dependable, always professional, and the kind of person who’d coach kids or be a rock for his family. He was a son, a best friend, a husband, and a dad who made the world better.
The community felt the loss right away. The next day, on December 24, a procession carried Snook’s body from the medical examiner’s office to a funeral home. People lined the streets, holding signs of thanks and waving flags. It was a quiet show of respect for a man who gave everything. Delaware Gov. Matt Meyer called it an “act of pure evil” but praised the courage of first responders like Snook, saying his heroism saved lives that day.
Delaware State Police put out a statement full of heart. They said their whole family sends deepest condolences to the Snooks. They’re grateful for the time Ty shared with them and the sacrifices his loved ones made. The investigation is still going, with no word yet on why Rose did this. He had no criminal record, but posts online hint he was obsessed with ideas like “gang stalking” and feeling targeted by police. Detectives want tips—call Detective D. Grassi at (302) 365-8441 or email [email protected]. You can stay anonymous through Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-TIP-3333.
Superintendent William Crotty of the state police talked about how the support from folks reminds everyone that Ty’s sacrifice won’t fade. It’s tough to wrap your head around— a regular DMV visit ending like this. But stories like Ty’s show the real heroes out there, putting it all on the line.
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