WILMINGTON — Delaware State Police and the law enforcement community are mourning the loss of a 10-year veteran trooper who was shot and killed Tuesday afternoon.

Corporal Grade One Matthew T. “Ty” Snook, 34, of Hockessin, was fatally shot while working at the Division of Motor Vehicles on Hessler Boulevard in Wilmington.

"We lost a brother, a son, a best friend, a coach, a husband and a father," said Delaware State Police Superintendent Col. William D. Crotty at a news conference Tuesday evening.

"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.”

Cpl. Snook started with the Delaware State Police in March 2015 as a member of the 88th Delaware State Police Recruit Class. Following the successful completion of academy and field training, he was assigned to Troop 6 at Prices Corner. Cpl. Snook served on C-shift throughout his career.

A native Delawarean, he was a graduate of Saint Mark’s High School and the University of Maryland, where he was a member of the wrestling team.

Cpl. Snook is survived by his wife and their one-year-old daughter.

Funeral arrangements have not yet been announced.

The trooper was working an overtime assignment at the reception desk of the Division of Motor Vehicles in New Castle when the 44-year-old gunman walked in, approached the trooper and fired, state police spokesman Cpl. Raushan Rich said Tuesday evening.

The wounded trooper pushed a nearby employee to safety before the gunman shot him again, killing him, Cpl. Rich said.

A New Castle County police officer then confronted, shot and killed the gunman.

The man came into the building as a customer and “a short time later” approached the trooper at the reception desk, Cpl. Rich said.

The shooter, whose name has not been released, was pronounced dead after he was taken to a hospital, Cpl. Rich said.

The incident began about 2 p.m., Cpl. Rich said. Police from around the area quickly converged at the scene.

A second trooper was injured at the scene, not from gunfire, Cpl. Rich said.

In a news release, state police said a 40-year-woman was taken to an area hospital for minor, non-gunshot-related injuries and a 35-year-old woman was evaluated for shortness of breath and refused transport to the hospital.

More than 50 employees were working at the DMV location at the time of the shooting, the division said in a news release. All DMV locations in the state were closed on Wednesday.

"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," Delaware Gov. Matt Meyer said at the news conference.

On Tuesday evening, a long procession of police vehicles were seen accompanying the trooper’s hearse to the Medical Examiner's Office in Wilmington.

Gov. Meyer ordered flags across the state to be lowered to half-staff.

Department of Safety and Homeland Security Secretary Josh Bushweller closed the Tuesday evening press conference. He thanked the FBI, ATF, attorney general’s office, area police and EMS and hospital staff for the immediate response and support.

“Two days before Christmas,” said Secretary Bushweller, “we lost a hero. A dedicated member of the Delaware State Police family who literally woke up this morning, put on his uniform like he did every day, and he went to work to serve the people of our state.

“Unfortunately, that trooper will not be coming home. To the family of our fallen trooper, all Delawareans grieve with you. We know that no words can ease your pain, but please know that your loved one’s service and sacrifice will never, ever, ever be forgotten.”

Delaware State Police said the family has set up a fund, “Help Support Corporal Grade One Snook’s Family,” at helpahero.com.