Del. State Trooper Killed and Suspected Gunman Dead After Shooting at DMV

A Delaware state trooper was killed after a man opened fire at a Division of Motor Vehicles office on Tuesday, Dec. 23.

At around 2:00 p.m., Delaware State Police and surrounding law enforcement agencies responded to the DMV at 2230 Hessler Blvd in New Castle in response to an active-shooter incident, DSP spokesperson Cpl. Raushan Rich said during an afternoon press conference.

“An early investigation revealed that a 44-year-old male suspect entered the DMV as a customer,” said Rich. “A short time later, the suspect approached the trooper who was working an overtime assignment, sitting at the reception desk, and shot him.”

According to Rich, after being shot, the trooper pushed a DMV employee out of harm’s way before he was shot once more by the suspect.

After a multiple-agency response, a New Castle County police officer confronted the suspect and shot him. The suspect was taken to an area hospital, where he died.

The trooper who was shot was transported to a local hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries, the spokesperson said.

The trooper’s identity has not yet been made public.

According to Rich, a second state trooper was evaluated for a minor, non-gunshot-related injury and was not transported to the hospital.

A 40-year-old woman was taken to an area hospital for minor, non-gunshot-related injuries, while a 35-year-old woman was evaluated for shortness of breath and refused transport to the hospital, per Rich.

Delaware State Police Colonel William D. Crotty referred to the trooper who died as a “brother, a son, a best friend, a coach, a husband, and a father.”

“Our trooper loved his community,” said Crotty. “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 deceased trooper “made the ultimate sacrifice to protect his fellow Delawareans, and our hearts are broken for his family.”

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“We are praying for them, their loved ones, and every state trooper as they grieve this sudden and unimaginable loss,” they said.