Delaware State Police trooper killed at DMV in Wilmington, suspect dead

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Delaware State Police have confirmed a trooper was killed during a shooting Tuesday afternoon at a DMV facility south of Wilmington. The shooter was also killed in the incident.

During a press conference Tuesday night, officials said a 44-year-old male suspect entered the DMV facility on Hessler Boulevard as a customer, when he approached the state trooper who was working an overtime assignment at the reception desk and fired at him, killing him.

Multiple agencies reported to the DMV facility. A New Castle County police officer shot the suspect, who was then taken to a local hospital where he later died.

The officer’s name was withheld during the press conference, citing the need to notify their family of the deadly shooting.

Gov. Matt Meyer called the shooting “an act of pure evil,” and said moments like this one should remind people of the “tremendous risks” first responders take “and the courage that they demonstrate every single day.”

“The heart of the state of Delaware breaks tonight as we mourn the loss of a Delaware State trooper, a hero who gave his life in the line of duty,” Meyer said during the press conference. “He made the ultimate sacrifice to protect his fellow Delawareans and our hearts break for his family. There are Delawareans who are alive tonight because of his heroism.”

One woman was taken to the hospital for minor unrelated injuries, according to a post on social media from Delaware State Police. Another state trooper who was not shot was evaluated on the scene for a minor injury and a 35-year-old woman was evaluated for shortness of breath.

In a statement, U.S. Sen. Lisa Blunt Rochester called the deadly shooting “devastating.”

“The holiday season should be about joy and celebration, not senseless acts of violence,” Blunt Rochester wrote in a public statement. “I am thankful for the swift and courageous action by law enforcement who worked immediately to counter the threat. As details of the investigation become more available, I am praying for those impacted and for our State.”

Fellow U.S. Sen. Chris Coons released a statement saying he was “heartbroken” by the news of the shooting.

“This officer put on their uniform this morning and went to work to make our community safer. Now, they will never come home,” Coons said. “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.”

State House Speaker Melissa Minor-Brown wrote in a statement, on “what should have been a day of togetherness and cheer,” Delaware residents dealt with “a senseless and horrific act of violence.”

Minor-Brown continued: “Every time we are confronted with violence like this, it feels no less shocking and no less devastating. If anything, it becomes harder to bear. Once again, the sense of safety people expect and deserve in their daily lives has been shattered. We mourn the loss of the state trooper who was killed while selflessly protecting others. We are also deeply grateful for the courage and professionalism of our police officers and first responders, who ran toward danger to protect others and bring this situation under control. Their bravery reflects the very best of public service.”

This story may be updated.