Delaware state trooper killed, suspected shooter also found dead at DMV

A Delaware state trooper was killed and the suspected shooter was found dead after an active shooter incident at a Division of Motor Vehicles office on Hessler Boulevard near Wilmington in New Castle County on Tuesday afternoon, state police said. The trooper and the suspect have not been publicly identified, and police described the matter as an active investigation.

State police received the initial report of an active shooter at about 2:18 p.m. The agency announced that by about 2:42 p.m. there was "no longer an active shooter" and that the threat had been neutralized before 3 p.m. Authorities said the suspect, described by investigators as a 44 year old man who entered the DMV as a customer, approached a trooper inside the facility and opened fire.

According to state police updates, the wounded trooper pushed a DMV employee out of the line of fire before being shot again. Law enforcement confronted the shooter, and officials confirmed the suspect was killed at the scene. The trooper subsequently died of his injuries, police said. State police did not provide further operational details about how officers engaged the shooter, citing the ongoing nature of the investigation.

Two women and a second trooper were evaluated for injuries that authorities characterized as minor and not caused by gunfire. A 40 year old woman was transported to a hospital for minor, non gunshot related injuries. A 35 year old woman was evaluated for shortness of breath, and a second state trooper was treated for a minor, non gunshot related injury and was not transported by emergency medical services.

Governor Matt Meyer posted on X that law enforcement "acted swiftly to secure the scene" and confirmed the shooter was deceased, adding there was "no active threat to the public at this time." Delaware State Police urged the public to avoid the area while first responders were on scene. The state Division of Motor Vehicles announced it closed offices statewide following the incident, citing safety concerns as officials assessed the situation.

The shooting reopened questions about security at public service locations where officers and civilians regularly interact. DMVs serve as high volume contact points between citizens and state employees, and closures to protect public safety can produce immediate operational disruption. State officials said they would provide further confirmed updates as the investigation continues, including the identities of the trooper and the suspect, the motive behind the shooting, and a full timeline of law enforcement actions.

New Castle County law enforcement agencies remained on scene to coordinate response and to continue initial investigative work. Authorities asked anyone with information or video of the incident to contact Delaware State Police. The episode adds to concerns among policymakers and law enforcement leaders about the protection of public employees and the procedures for responding to violent encounters at government service centers.