A Delaware State Police trooper was assassinated execution-style by a gunman at a DMV office in what appears to be a targeted attack on law enforcement, highlighting the escalating dangers faced by officers in the line of duty.
Story Highlights
- State Police Cpl. Matthew Snook was shot from behind while working at New Castle DMV reception desk
- Gunman Rahman Rose allowed customers to escape but continued firing at responding officers
- Rose was killed by a New Castle County police officer who shot through a window
- Community honors fallen 10-year veteran with massive procession on Christmas Eve
Trooper Assassinated at DMV Office
State Police Cpl. Matthew “Ty” Snook was working an overtime assignment at the New Castle DMV reception desk on Tuesday afternoon when Rahman Rose, 44, of Wilmington, entered as a customer and approached him from behind. Rose then shot Snook with a handgun in what investigators describe as an unprovoked attack.
The veteran officer, despite being mortally wounded, pushed a DMV employee out of harm’s way and told them to run, demonstrating heroism even in his final moments.
Delaware State Police say DMV gunman let customers leave, fired at approaching officers https://t.co/tc4X1tRt8s pic.twitter.com/L2ACwAxRU7
— The Independent (@Independent) December 26, 2025
Gunman’s Calculated Attack on Law Enforcement
After shooting Trooper Snook, Rose continued firing at the wounded officer before allowing civilian customers to safely leave the building. However, when law enforcement officers approached the DMV office to respond to the shooting, Rose fired multiple rounds at them, clearly targeting police specifically.
This pattern suggests a deliberate anti-law enforcement motive rather than random violence. A New Castle County police officer ultimately ended the threat by shooting Rose through a window from outside the building, and Rose later died at a hospital.
Community Honors Fallen Hero
Cpl. Snook, a 10-year veteran of the Delaware State Police, received an outpouring of community support following his murder. On Christmas Eve, members of the community lined roadways and displayed messages of gratitude as a procession of troopers, police officers, and firefighters escorted his body from the state medical examiner’s office to a funeral home.
Delaware State Police Superintendent William Crotty emphasized that the community’s response served as a reminder that Snook’s service and sacrifice will not be forgotten by those who value law and order.
Investigation Continues Into Anti-Police Attack
The shooting remains under active investigation as authorities work to determine Rose’s motive for specifically targeting law enforcement. The calculated nature of the attack—shooting an officer from behind, then continuing to fire at responding police while allowing civilians to leave—suggests this was a premeditated assault on law enforcement rather than a random act of violence.
Investigators are asking witnesses or anyone with relevant information to contact detectives as they piece together what led to this tragic assassination of a dedicated public servant.
