A fatal shooting inside a Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles office in Smyrna on Tuesday afternoon left a veteran state trooper and the suspected gunman dead, prompting statewide office closures and renewed scrutiny of security at public facilities. Authorities said the trooper, who was working an overtime detail at the DMV’s reception desk, was shot after a man entered the building and opened fire.
Despite being wounded, the trooper managed to push a nearby employee to safety before being shot again. Both the trooper and the gunman later died at a hospital, while a responding police officer fatally shot the suspect, ending the threat.
The incident unfolded shortly before 3 p.m. at a DMV facility near Wilmington, drawing a rapid response from state police and local law enforcement agencies. Officials confirmed that the situation was contained within minutes and that no further danger to the public remained. One civilian woman and a second state trooper sustained minor injuries that were not caused by gunfire. No additional details were released about the identities of those involved as authorities continued their investigation.
Details of the Shooting Inside the DMV Office
According to Delaware State Police, the trooper was assigned to the front reception desk when a 44-year-old man entered the DMV office and approached him. Without warning, the man allegedly drew a firearm and fired at close range. The trooper was struck but remained conscious long enough to act. State police said that in those moments, he pushed a nearby DMV employee out of harm’s way, placing himself between the attacker and others inside the building.
After the initial shots, the gunman fired again, striking the trooper a second time. A police officer already inside or arriving at the scene confronted the suspect. That officer discharged his weapon, fatally wounding the gunman and stopping the attack. Emergency medical services were called immediately, and both the trooper and the suspect were transported to a nearby hospital. Despite life-saving efforts, both were pronounced dead.
State police officials said the incident was over within minutes, preventing what could have become a mass-casualty event in a public space filled with employees and customers. Authorities emphasized that the swift response by law enforcement and the trooper’s actions were critical in limiting injuries. Investigators are now working to determine the suspect’s motive, whether the trooper was specifically targeted, and how the gunman obtained and carried the weapon into the building.
🇺🇸DELAWARE HERO TROOPER KILLED IN DMV SHOOTING
— Wiq 🇺🇸 (@echo_wiq) December 24, 2025
Brave off-duty Delaware State Trooper gunned down at Wilmington DMV desk.
Pushed employee to safety after first shot
Took fatal second bullet pic.twitter.com/B6z2UXiJab
Officials have not released the trooper’s name pending notification of next of kin. They confirmed, however, that he was an experienced member of the Delaware State Police and was working an overtime security assignment at the DMV at the time of the shooting. The gunman’s identity has also not been publicly disclosed beyond his age, as detectives continue to review his background, possible grievances, and any prior interactions with law enforcement or state agencies.
Law Enforcement Response and Statements from Officials
At a news conference Tuesday night, Col. William D. Crotty, superintendent of the Delaware State Police, described the trooper’s final moments as an act of extraordinary courage. “We lost a brother, a son, a best friend, a coach, a husband and a father,” Crotty said. “His last actions were that of a hero, a hero who saved lives today while sacrificing his own.”
Crotty confirmed that the trooper’s decision to protect a civilian employee likely prevented further injuries or deaths. He also praised the responding officer who confronted and killed the gunman, noting that the officer’s actions brought the incident to an immediate close. State police officials said internal reviews will follow, as is standard procedure, but early indications show that the response was consistent with training and protocol.
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Delaware Governor Matt Meyer also addressed the public, condemning the shooting and acknowledging the role of law enforcement in stopping the attack. “What happened today was an act of pure evil, and if not for the heroism of several troopers and other officers, the consequences could have been so much worse,” Meyer said. He added that the state would provide support to the trooper’s family and to those affected by the violence.
Local and state officials coordinated closely in the aftermath, securing the scene, evacuating the building, and accounting for all employees and visitors. Law enforcement agencies from surrounding jurisdictions assisted with perimeter security and traffic control as investigators began processing the scene for evidence. The Delaware Department of Justice confirmed that it would work alongside state police in reviewing the incident.
The Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles announced that it closed all DMV offices statewide following the shooting. The closure was intended to allow staff time to process the incident and to ensure that appropriate security assessments could be conducted. Officials did not specify when offices would reopen but said updates would be provided as more information became available.
Impact on the Community and Ongoing Investigation
The shooting has had a profound impact on the Smyrna community and on state employees across Delaware. The DMV office, typically a routine destination for license renewals and vehicle services, became the site of a deadly confrontation that underscored the vulnerabilities of public-facing government facilities. Employees who were present during the incident were offered counseling and support services, according to state officials.
Community leaders expressed condolences to the trooper’s family and to colleagues within the Delaware State Police. Flags at state buildings were lowered to half-staff in honor of the fallen trooper, and memorials began to appear near the DMV office as residents left flowers and messages of sympathy. Law enforcement agencies from neighboring states also issued statements recognizing the trooper’s service and sacrifice.
Investigators are continuing to piece together the timeline leading up to the shooting. Detectives are examining surveillance footage from inside and outside the DMV, interviewing witnesses, and reviewing any digital or written records associated with the suspect. Authorities are particularly focused on determining whether the gunman had a specific grievance related to the DMV or to law enforcement, or whether the attack was random.
State police have not indicated whether the suspect had a prior criminal record or known mental health issues. Officials cautioned against speculation, emphasizing that a full understanding of the motive may take time. They also said that any information suggesting a broader threat would be communicated promptly to the public.
The incident has renewed discussions among state officials about security measures at public offices, including the presence of armed security, controlled entry points, and threat assessment protocols. While no immediate policy changes were announced, Governor Meyer indicated that the state would review current practices to determine whether additional protections are warranted for employees and visitors.
As the investigation continues, authorities stressed that the shooting appears to be an isolated incident and that there is no ongoing threat to the public. The focus, they said, remains on honoring the fallen trooper, supporting those affected, and ensuring a thorough and transparent review of the events that unfolded inside the Smyrna DMV.