Investigators in Delaware have revealed that the man who shot and killed a state trooper at a motor vehicle office late last year was motivated by a belief that he was under surveillance and harassment by authorities, despite having no prior contact with the officer he murdered.
A Deliberate Ambush at the DMV
The tragic incident occurred on December 23 at the New Castle Department of Motor Vehicles office. Corporal Matthew "Ty" Snook, a ten-year veteran of the Delaware State Police, was working an overtime assignment at the reception desk. According to state police, Rahman Rose, 44, entered the building as a customer, approached Snook from behind, and opened fire with a handgun.
Police stated that Rose had told others he believed law enforcement was targeting him. He had also posted on social media about being a victim of "gang stalking," a term describing a paranoid belief that one is being followed and harassed by government entities or organized groups.
"Based on the totality of the evidence, detectives concluded this was a deliberate and targeted attack on law enforcement," the state's homicide unit said in a final update released on a Friday.
Sequence of Events and Heroic Actions
Investigators detailed that Rose first visited the DMV office on the morning of December 23 but left shortly after. He returned hours later to carry out the ambush. As Rose fired multiple rounds, Corporal Snook was shot while shielding a DMV employee from the attack.
Rose reportedly allowed other customers to leave the building but fired at law enforcement officers as they responded to the scene. A New Castle county police officer ultimately shot Rose through a window from outside the building. Rose was transported to a hospital, where he later died.
Investigation Uncovers Motive but No Prior Link
The investigation found that Rose, who had previously lived in Connecticut, was residing in Wilmington, Delaware, without a permanent address at the time of the shooting. Despite his stated beliefs about being monitored, Rose had no criminal allegations or arrests from his limited contact with Delaware law enforcement in the year prior. Crucially, none of that prior contact involved Corporal Snook.
The Delaware State Police honoured Snook's sacrifice, stating, "Ty’s courageous act of strength and sacrifice reflected the core values he lived by every day - protecting others with bravery, selflessness and steady integrity."
The case highlights the deadly potential of violent acts stemming from severe paranoia and targeted beliefs against law enforcement personnel.
