A Delaware state trooper was killed Tuesday after a gunman opened fire inside a Division of Motor Vehicles office near Wilmington. Authorities say the wounded trooper shielded a civilian before police fatally shot the suspect.
The shooting unfolded shortly after 2 p.m. at a DMV facility outside Wilmington, where the trooper was working an overtime security assignment at the reception desk, Delaware State Police said. A 44-year-old man entered the building, approached the desk, and fired at the trooper without warning, authorities said during a late-night news conference.
Even after being struck by gunfire, the trooper managed to push a nearby DMV employee out of harm’s way, police said. The gunman then shot the trooper again. Moments later, a responding police officer arrived at the scene, confronted the suspect, and shot him, thereby ending the threat.
Both the trooper and the gunman were transported to a hospital, where they were pronounced dead shortly after their arrival. Authorities have not yet released the trooper’s name, pending notification of family members. Investigators also have not publicly identified the suspect or disclosed a motive.
“We lost a brother, a son, a best friend, a coach, a husband, and a father,” said Col. William D. Crotty, superintendent of the Delaware State Police. “His last actions were those of a hero — a hero who saved lives today while sacrificing his own.”
State police said the scene was secured before 3 p.m., less than an hour after the shooting began, and there was no longer an active threat to the public. In addition to the trooper who was killed, a woman and a second state trooper suffered minor injuries that were not caused by gunfire, authorities said. No other serious injuries were reported.
Gov. Matt Meyer condemned the attack as senseless and praised the actions of law enforcement officers who responded.
“What happened today was an act of pure evil, and if not for the heroism of several troopers and other officers, the consequences could have been so much worse,” Meyer said at the news conference. He added that the trooper’s actions reflected the risks officers face even during routine assignments meant to protect the public.
The DMV office where the shooting occurred falls under the jurisdiction of the Delaware State Police, and troopers are routinely stationed at DMV locations across the state to provide security and assistance. Following the attack, the state DMV announced that all offices statewide were closed, disrupting services as investigators processed the scene and officials reviewed security procedures.
The killing sent shockwaves through Delaware’s law enforcement community and prompted an outpouring of support from state leaders and public officials. Authorities emphasized that the trooper’s actions prevented what could have been a far more deadly outcome in a public building filled with employees and customers.
Investigators said the case remains active as they work to reconstruct the gunman’s movements and determine what led up to the shooting. State police have not said whether the suspect had any prior contact with law enforcement or whether the attack was targeted beyond the initial encounter at the reception desk.
The shooting adds to growing concerns nationwide about violence in public buildings and the dangers faced by officers assigned to visible, front-line roles. Law enforcement leaders said the incident underscores the importance of rapid response and coordination among agencies, crediting the responding officer with stopping the gunman before more people were harmed.
As Delaware mourns the loss of the trooper, flags were lowered at state facilities, and officials said additional details about memorial services would be released in the coming days. For now, state leaders said, the focus remains on honoring the trooper’s sacrifice and supporting his family, colleagues, and the civilian employees who were caught in the violence.
“Their courage and commitment to protecting others,” Crotty said, “will always be remembered.”
