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 Rahman Rose, 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: Rahman Rose (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
Venezuelan national Julio Cesar Sosa-Celis shot in the leg by an immigration agent in Minneapolis
On January 14, 2025, federal law enforcement personnel were engaged in a targeted enforcement operation involving Julio Cesar Sosa-Celis, a Venezuelan national who has been present in the United States since 2022.
The operation escalated into a high-speed pursuit, a physical confrontation, and an ambush by multiple subjects, necessitating the use of a defensive firearm discharge by a federal agent.
At approximately 6:50 PM, federal officers initiated a targeted traffic stop of a vehicle operated by Sosa-Celis.
The subject refused to comply with law enforcement commands and attempted to flee the scene.
During the pursuit, the subject’s vehicle collided with a stationary, parked car.
Following the collision, the subject abandoned the vehicle and fled the scene on foot.
A federal agent pursued the suspect on foot and successfully intercepted him. As the agent attempted to effect an arrest, the subject became combative, resulting in a violent struggle on the ground.
During this confrontation, two additional male subjects emerged from a nearby residence to intervene.
These individuals reportedly ambushed the agent, utilizing a snow shovel and a broom handle to strike the officer.
The situation escalated when the primary suspect, Sosa-Celis, regained his footing and joined the two additional subjects in the assault.
Reports indicate the suspect struck the agent with a blunt object (identified as either the shovel or broom handle).
Citing an immediate threat to his life while being outnumbered and actively assaulted by three individuals, the agent discharged his service weapon in self-defense.
The discharge struck Sosa-Celis in the lower extremity (leg). Following the shot, all three suspects retreated into a nearby apartment complex and initiated a barricade situation.
Following a brief standoff, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) successfully secured the perimeter and apprehended all three individuals without further injury.
Both the federal agent and Sosa-Celis were transported to a local medical facility for treatment.
Images from the scene showed Sosa-Celis conscious and alert during transport.
All three subjects involved in the assault are currently in the custody of ICE.
Further charges related to the assault on a federal officer and resisting arrest are pending review by the U.S. Attorney’s Office.