Delaware State Trooper Killed and Suspected Gunman Dead After Shooting at DMV 

A Delaware state trooper was killed Tuesday, Dec. 23, after a man opened fire inside a Division of Motor Vehicles office in New Castle.

Authorities said Delaware State Police and other agencies responded around 2:00 p.m. to reports of an active shooter at the DMV located at 2230 Hessler Blvd., Delaware State Police spokesperson Cpl. Raushan Rich said during an afternoon press conference.

According to Rich, investigators believe a 44-year-old man entered the DMV as a customer. Not long after, the man approached a trooper who was working an overtime assignment at the reception desk and shot him.

Rich said the trooper, after being hit, pushed a DMV employee out of the line of fire before the suspect shot him again.

During the multi-agency response, a New Castle County police officer confronted the suspect and shot him, authorities said. The suspect was taken to a hospital, where he later died.

The trooper was rushed to a local hospital but succumbed to his injuries, Rich said. The trooper’s name had not been released as of the briefing.

Rich also said a second state trooper was evaluated for a minor injury unrelated to gunfire and did not require hospital transport. A 40-year-old woman was taken to a hospital for minor, non-gunshot-related injuries, and a 35-year-old woman was evaluated for shortness of breath but declined transport, according to authorities.

Delaware State Police Colonel William D. Crotty described the fallen trooper as “a brother, a son, a best friend, a coach, a husband, and a father.”

“Our trooper loved his community,” Crotty said. “He served with honor and integrity, and his life was cut short by senseless violence. His last actions were that of a hero, a hero who saved lives today while sacrificing his own.”

In a joint statement, Delaware Gov. Matt Meyer, first lady Lauren Meyer, Lt. Gov. Kyle Evans Gay and second gentleman Olin Gay said the trooper “made the ultimate sacrifice to protect his fellow Delawareans,” adding that they were praying for his family and colleagues as they mourned what they called a sudden, devastating loss.