Authorities confirmed that the suspect in the fatal shooting at a Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles facility in Wilmington has been identified as 44-year-old Avery Young.
Officials said Young was the individual who opened fire during the incident, which resulted in the death of Delaware State Trooper Matthew Tyler Snook and ultimately Young’s own death.
Law enforcement officials noted that the identifying information released at this stage is part of the preliminary factual record of the ongoing investigation.
Delaware State Police reported that a second trooper sustained a minor injury during the incident that was not caused by gunfire.
Authorities also confirmed that a 40-year-old woman was transported to a nearby hospital for treatment of minor injuries that were not related to gunfire.
The shooting occurred Tuesday afternoon at the Delaware DMV located on Hessler Boulevard in the Minquadale area of New Castle County.
Initial emergency calls described an active shooter situation, prompting a large-scale response from local, county, and state law enforcement agencies, along with fire and emergency medical personnel.
Governor Matt Meyer addressed the incident in a public statement, saying law enforcement officers acted quickly to secure the scene and confirming that the suspect was pronounced dead.
Officials later confirmed that Trooper Snook was killed in the line of duty during the confrontation.
Emergency radio communications indicated that shortly after 2:00 p.m., command staff reported two individuals down at the scene.
Emergency medical responders advised that CPR was being administered to two patients, one of whom was believed to be the shooter.
Subsequent updates clarified that there were two primary trauma patients involved in the incident.
Additional non-trauma medical responses were also required, including assistance for an individual who had fallen and another person experiencing breathing difficulties during the incident.
The Delaware Department of Justice released a statement through spokesperson Mat Marshall, stating that the Attorney General is in direct communication with Delaware State Police and Governor Meyer.
Senior prosecutors were dispatched to the scene on Hessler Boulevard to assist with the investigation.
The department said it would defer to Delaware State Police regarding the release of investigative details and asked for patience from the public and media as authorities continue to examine the circumstances surrounding the shooting.
The statement also expressed support for the Delaware State Police and the Department of Safety and Homeland Security, adding that prayers are with the law enforcement community.
As a result of the incident, the Wilmington DMV location on Hessler Boulevard remains closed until further notice.
All services at that facility have been suspended, and residents have been directed to the Delaware City DMV for motor vehicle services.
Hessler Boulevard was closed for an extended period, and portions of Route 13 south of Interstate 495 were temporarily shut down as police activity continued. Authorities urged motorists and residents to avoid the area.
Officials have not yet released detailed information about what led up to the shooting.
The investigation remains active, and law enforcement officials said additional information will be released as it becomes available.
