Details remain sparse surrounding the tragic events that unfolded at a Wilmington, Delaware, Department of Motor Vehicles office. In a chilling turn of events, a state trooper and the suspected shooter have both lost their lives.
On Tuesday afternoon, a video surfaced on the platform X, capturing the harrowing moments of the incident. The footage reveals an officer swiftly entering the DMV facility, followed by the startling sound of multiple gunshots echoing through the air.
In the aftermath, a significant police presence was observed, with numerous emergency vehicles converging upon the scene, underscoring the gravity of the situation.
Officials have since verified the deaths of the officer and the alleged gunman, reassuring the public that the immediate danger has been neutralized.
In response to this heartbreaking event, Delaware Senator Chris Coons released a statement expressing his sentiments.
As this story continues to evolve, further updates will be provided by RedState as they become available.
Pray for this hero’s family tonight. They’re going to have a rough Christmas 🙏🏻
One shooter is also deceased, per the governor pic.twitter.com/KQJtt7T4tw
— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) December 23, 2025
Authorities have since confirmed that both an officer and the suspected gunman were killed, and indicate that there is no longer an active threat.
A Delaware state trooper was killed Tuesday during a shooting at a Division of Motor Vehicles building, authorities said.
The Delaware State Police said it responded to an active shooter situation at a DMV location in Wilmington. Authorities later said that one suspect was in custody and that there was no longer an active shooter incident.
“One Delaware State Trooper has been confirmed killed during this incident,” the police wrote on X. “We are continuing to assess additional injuries.”
Delaware Gov. Matt Meyer said the shooter was also killed.
“We are closely monitoring the situation at the DMV in New Castle, and I want to be clear that there is no active threat to the public at this time,” he wrote on X. “Law enforcement acted swiftly to secure the scene, and the shooter has been confirmed deceased.”
Delaware Senator Chris Coons issued a statement following the incident:
“I am heartbroken by today’s shooting at the Wilmington DMV that took the life of a Delaware State Trooper just two days before Christmas. This officer put on their uniform this morning and went to work to make our community safer. Now, they will never come home. This is devastating for their family, their fellow officers, and our entire state. Our law enforcement community is a strong one – knit together through courage and a determination to serve. I’m grateful for their brave actions today that likely saved lives. Annie and I are praying for the loved ones of this dedicated public servant and our entire law enforcement community.”
This is a developing story. RedState will provide additional updates as warranted.
Update – 9:10 PM Eastern:
We still don’t have a lot of information regarding Tuesday’s shooting at a Delaware DMV, but we are learning a bit more about the actions of the fallen trooper in the moments before he was killed:
A state trooper was killed after authorities say a customer at a DMV location in Delaware opened fire on the law enforcement officer while he was sitting at a reception desk, in what Delaware Gov. Matt Meyer called an “act of pure evil.”
The suspected shooter, a 44-year-old man, was fatally shot by a responding police officer, according to Delaware State Police.
The suspect approached the trooper a short time after entering the DMV and shot him, according to Delaware State Police spokesperson Cpl. Raushan Rich.
The trooper managed to push a DMV employee out of harm’s way before being shot a second time, according to Rich.
The trooper, whose name is not being released at this time pending family notification, was commended as a hero.
“We lost a brother, a son, best friend, a coach, a husband and a father,” Col. William Crotty, Superintendent of Delaware State Police, said at a press briefing Tuesday night. “Our trooper loved his community. He served with honor and integrity, and his life was cut short by senseless violence.”
“His last actions were that of a hero — a hero who saved lives today while sacrificing his own,” he added.
The trooper was working an overtime assignment at the time, according to Rich.
God bless this hero and his loved ones.
