Final probe says Delaware trooper was ambushed in targeted DMV attack
NEW CASTLE, DE — The steady DMV line at the Karen L. Johnson facility broke into chaos when investigators say Cpl. 1 Matthew T. Ty Snook was shot from behind at the welcome desk and died while shielding a DMV employee as the gunman kept his focus on law enforcement, according to Delaware State Police.
Delaware State Police said its Homicide Unit has completed the line-of-duty death investigation into Snook’s killing at the Division of Motor Vehicles building at 2230 Hessler Boulevard, concluding the shooting was a targeted attack against police. The agency said the evidence showed the assailant’s gunfire was directed at law enforcement personnel and that Snook was the intended target as a uniformed officer positioned at the front of the facility.
Investigators identified Rahman Rose as the suspect responsible. Police said Rose previously lived in Connecticut and had most recently been staying in the Wilmington area without a permanent address. Detectives said Rose told people who knew him that he believed police were targeting him and that law enforcement was coming after him. Police also said Rose posted anti-police content online and claimed he was being subjected to gang stalking, which police described as his personal belief that he was under constant surveillance and harassment by government or law enforcement.
State police said the investigation found no evidence Rose acted with any group or other individuals. Detectives said Rose had limited contact with Delaware law enforcement in the year before the shooting, and that none of those contacts were criminal, resulted in an arrest, or involved Snook. Investigators said they found no prior relationship, interaction, or dispute between Rose and Snook, and concluded the attack was deliberate and directed at law enforcement.
Police said the handgun used in the killing was legally purchased by Rose in 2021 in Connecticut, and that at the time of purchase and before the incident he was not prohibited from buying or possessing a firearm. Police said Rose had a limited criminal record.
According to investigators, Rose entered the DMV at about 11:30 a.m., sat in the driver services area, and left shortly after without conducting business. Police said he returned at about 1:56 p.m., obtained a queue ticket from the welcome desk where Snook and a DMV employee were stationed, then sat again in the driver services area. Police said there was no interaction between Rose and Snook during the queue ticket process.
About three minutes later, investigators said, Rose ambushed Snook from behind at the welcome desk and fired several rounds from a handgun concealed on his body. Snook was struck over a glass partition, police said. Investigators said Snook shielded the DMV employee from harm before being struck again by additional gunfire.
State police said Rose allowed and encouraged several customers to leave while he remained inside and appeared to wait for responding officers. Investigators said the only additional shots fired by Rose were at responding law enforcement, which police said further supported the conclusion that the attack was solely directed at police personnel.
At about 2:07 p.m., a responding New Castle County Police officer shot Rose through a window from outside the building, state police said. Police said Rose was transported to a local hospital and was pronounced dead.
State police said its Victim Services Unit and the Delaware Victim Center remain available around the clock for victims, witnesses, and families affected by sudden loss through a toll-free hotline at 1-800-VICTIM-1 and by email at DSP_VictimServicesMail@delaware.gov.
Key Points
• Delaware State Police say the DMV killing of Cpl. 1 Matthew T. Ty Snook was a targeted attack on law enforcement
• Investigators identified Rahman Rose as the suspect and said he acted alone and used a handgun he legally bought in Connecticut
• Police say Rose ambushed Snook at the welcome desk and was later shot by a New Castle County officer through a window
