Crime
Delaware State Trooper Matthew Tyler Snook Killed in Wilmington DMV Shooting
On the afternoon of Tuesday, December 23, 2025, the Delaware State Police (DSP) suffered the tragic loss of Corporal Matthew “Ty” Snook. Corporal Snook was killed in an unprovoked ambush while working an overtime assignment at the Wilmington Division of Motor Vehicles on Hessler Boulevard.
Despite sustaining fatal injuries, Corporal Snook is credited with saving lives through his final heroic actions. The assailant was subsequently neutralized by responding law enforcement.
The incident began at approximately 2:00 p.m. at the Karen L. Johnson DMV facility. According to Delaware State Police Col. William Crotty and Cpl. Raushan Rich, a 44-year-old male, identified as Avery Young, entered the facility as a customer.
Without warning, the suspect approached the reception desk where Cpl. Snook was stationed and opened fire.
Investigative reports confirm that after being struck by the initial gunfire, Cpl. Snook prioritized the safety of others, physically pushing a DMV employee out of the line of fire before the gunman fired a second, fatal shot.
Multiple agencies responded to the active shooter call.
A New Castle County Police officer arrived on the scene, confronted the suspect, and fatally shot him.
Both Cpl. Snook and the suspect were transported to area hospitals, where they were pronounced deceased.
- Killed: Corporal Matthew “Ty” Snook (Delaware State Police)
- Deceased: Avery Young (Suspect)
- Injured: * One Delaware State Trooper (minor non-gunshot injury)
- A 40-year-old female civilian (minor non-gunshot injury)
- A 35-year-old female civilian (evaluated for shortness of breath; declined transport)
Cpl. Snook was a 10-year veteran of the Delaware State Police, joining the agency in March 2015 as a member of the 88th recruit class. He had recently achieved the rank of Corporal Grade One.
A Delaware native, Cpl. Snook was an alumnus of Saint Mark’s High School and the University of Maryland, where he competed as a collegiate wrestler.
He was highly regarded by his peers as a man of integrity and a dedicated public servant. He is survived by his wife and their one-year-old daughter.
State leaders expressed profound grief and condemned the “senseless violence” that occurred just days before Christmas.
- Governor Matt Meyer: “His last actions were that of a hero… a hero who saved lives today while sacrificing his own. What happened today was an act of pure evil.”
- DSP Colonel William Crotty: “Our trooper loved his community. He served with honor and integrity, and his life was cut short by senseless violence.”
- Secretary of Transportation Shanté Hastings: Announced that all four Delaware DMV locations would remain closed on December 24 to allow staff to mourn and process the tragedy.
The Delaware State Troopers Association has established a “Help a Hero” fundraiser to support Cpl. Snook’s family.
As of Wednesday afternoon, the community has contributed over $32,000 to the fund.
This incident marks the 21st line-of-duty death for the Delaware State Police and the 50th law enforcement fatality in the state’s history.
Crime
Noemi Hernandez, Mother of Four Murdered By Her Husband Hector Luvianos Two Days Before Christmas
BATAVIA, Ill. — A devastating domestic homicide has left a family and community in mourning just days before Christmas.
Noemi Hernandez, a devoted mother of four, was fatally attacked in the early morning hours of Tuesday, Dec. 23, in what prosecutors allege was a violent act committed by her husband.
The incident occurred at an apartment building in the 100 block of Church Street in Batavia.
According to court records and police reports, at approximately 4:37 a.m., Batavia police were dispatched after a man contacted emergency dispatchers and stated that he had killed his wife.
Responding officers located the man outside the apartment building and took him into custody without incident.
When officers entered the apartment, they found Hernandez suffering from severe, life-threatening injuries.
First responders immediately attempted life-saving measures; however, she was pronounced dead at the scene.
Authorities identified the suspect as Hector B. Luvianos, 37, who was transported to the Batavia Police Department for questioning.
With assistance from the Kane County Major Crimes Task Force, investigators determined the incident was domestic-related and involved only the two individuals. Police emphasized that there is no ongoing threat to the public.
On Dec. 24, 2025, Kane County State’s Attorney Jamie L. Mosser and Batavia Police Chief Eric Blowers announced that Luvianos has been formally charged with first-degree murder, a Class M felony under Illinois law.
He appeared in court the same day for a pretrial detention hearing, after which a judge ordered him held in the Kane County Jail while the case proceeds.
The Kane County Coroner’s Office responded to the scene, and an autopsy is scheduled to determine the official cause and manner of Hernandez’s death.
In the wake of the tragedy, Hernandez’s family has launched a GoFundMe campaign to help cover funeral and related expenses.
In the fundraiser, the family described Noemi as “the heart of her family,” noting that she worked tirelessly, loved deeply, and always placed her children first. Her sudden death, they wrote, has left the family emotionally devastated and financially unprepared.
As an immigrant family with limited resources and no life insurance, they now face the burden of funeral and cremation costs, legal fees, and other unexpected expenses, all while supporting four children grieving the loss of their mother.
The family is asking for community support to allow them to lay Noemi to rest with dignity and focus on healing rather than financial hardship.
The investigation remains ongoing.