It was supposed to be just another Tuesday afternoon at the DMV on Hessler Boulevard in Wilmington. People were waiting in line, papers in hand, just trying to get their licenses sorted out before the holidays. But in a split second, the mundane hum of the office shattered into chaos. That is when Corporal Grade One Matthew “Ty” Snook, working an overtime shift at the front desk, showed us all what a true hero looks like.
When the gunman, identified as 44-year-old Avery Young, walked in and opened fire, Trooper Snook didn’t freeze. He didn’t run. Instead, even after taking the first bullet, his only thought was for the person standing next to him. Witnesses say Snook used his last moments of strength to shove a terrified DMV employee out of the line of fire. He took the brunt of the attack so someone else could go home to their family.
Sadly, the suspect shot Snook again, ending the life of a man who had sworn to protect Delaware’s citizens. A nearby New Castle County police officer jumped into action immediately, returning fire and taking Young down before he could hurt anyone else. Both men were rushed to the hospital, but neither made it. In the blink of an eye, a 10-year veteran of the force was gone, leaving a hole in the heart of the community just two days before Christmas.
Ty Snook wasn’t just a badge number. He was a 34-year-old dad from Hockessin with a one-year-old daughter waiting for him at home. He was a former wrestler at the University of Maryland and a graduate of St. Mark’s High School. Friends and colleagues describe him as the guy you could always count on—dependable, solid, and kind. He had a whole life ahead of him, filled with first steps and birthday parties that he will now miss.
Governor Matt Meyer didn’t mince words when he addressed the state, calling the shooting an “act of pure evil.” It is hard to argue with that. But amidst that evil, Snook’s bravery shines through. “If not for the heroism of several troopers and other officers, the consequences could have been so much worse,” Meyer said. Snook stood as a shield between an innocent worker and a gunman, proving that courage isn’t about being fearless; it’s about acting in spite of the fear.
The community is now reeling, trying to make sense of a senseless tragedy. Flags are flying at half-staff, and fellow troopers are wearing black mourning bands, struggling with the loss of a brother, a coach, and a best friend. It is a stark reminder of the dangers these men and women face simply by putting on the uniform. Snook went to work to make a few extra bucks for his family and ended up paying the ultimate price.
As we head into the new year, the Delaware State Police family is asking for prayers, not just for them, but for Snook’s wife and little girl. They have lost their world. While we can’t bring him back, we can honor him by remembering his name and his final, selfless act. Trooper Matthew Tyler Snook is a hero, plain and simple. Rest in peace, Ty. We’ll take the watch from here.