Delaware
Delaware Symphony Orchestra appoints Michelle Di Russo as first female director
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The Delaware Symphony Orchestra is beginning a new era in its 120th season with a historic first.
Michelle Di Russo has been named the orchestra’s new music director, following an international search that began in 2023. She is the first woman in the orchestra’s history to hold the role.
“Winning your first position as music director, as a conductor in general, it’s the most exciting thing,” Di Russo said. “It’s something you’ve been working towards for years, right? And for it to be a place like Delaware and with the Delaware Symphony and having been there, connected with the community and worked with the orchestra, I know it sounds too good to be true, but it is the perfect fit for me.”
Di Russo emerged as a standout among four finalists who appeared during the DSO’s 2024 and 2025 season. The orchestra’s musicians, board members, staff and community were all part of the decision-making process.
“Michelle Di Russo was the unanimous choice of both the search committee and our board,” said J.C. Barker, the orchestra’s chief executive officer, in a statement. “We are thrilled to welcome her as we look to a bold new chapter and beyond.”
The appointment is not just a personal milestone — it marks a breakthrough for representation in classical music in Delaware.
“I think it’s always exciting to be the first one to break those glass ceilings slowly,” Di Russo said. “It’s also exciting to know that the community and the musicians and the organization, everyone is ready for it as well. It just makes me feel very welcome and very excited to help them go into this new path.”
She began her career in the arts not as a conductor but as a performer. In her native Argentina, she worked in musical theater as a dancer and singer before a final exam unexpectedly steered her in a new direction.
“I really didn’t know that was my path,” she said. “But when I conducted the orchestra for the first time… there’s this energy. I don’t know, I just can’t describe it. It just really ignited passion in me and I just knew that that was the path I needed to take on.”
WILMINGTON, De. – Officials have identified the Delaware State Police trooper who was shot and killed in a DMV in Wilmington on Tuesday.
Delaware State Police trooper killed
Delaware State Police Corporal Grade One Matthew T. “Ty” Snook. (Credit: Delaware State Police)
What we know:
Matthew “Ty” Snook was killed in the shooting in Wilmington on Tuesday, Dec. 23, the Delaware State Police announced on Wednesday.
Snook, 34, was a 10-year veteran of the department and a Delaware native. He is survived by his wife and their one-year-old daughter.
Delaware DMV shooting
The backstory:
The shooting happened just after 2 p.m. Tuesday, at the DMV office on Hessler Boulevard in Wilmington.
According to officials, the 44-year-old suspect walked into the DMV as a customer, before walking up to Snook and shooting him. Snook then pushed a DMV employee out of the way of the shooter, before the suspect shot Snook again.
Other officers shot and killed the shooter.
Snook died from his injuries shortly after. One other trooper suffered a minor, non-gunshot-related injury. One woman was also hospitalized for a minor injury.
What we don’t know:
Officials have not yet identified the suspected shooter.
Delaware community responds
What they’re saying:
Delaware State Police called Snook “a respected colleague, a trusted partner, and a beloved member of both the Delaware State Police and the community he served.”
In an online fundraising campaign for Snook’s family, the Delaware State Troopers Association called Snook “a loving husband, devoted father and a deeply cherished friend.”
“Those who knew him remember his steady presence, his kindness, and his unwavering commitment to the people he loved,” the organization wrote, adding that “as a Trooper, Ty served the people of Delaware with courage, integrity and selflessness.”
What you can do:
Snook’s family has started a “Help a Hero” campaign, raising money to help with expenses. More information about that fundraiser can be found by clicking here.
What’s next:
No funeral arrangements for Snook have been announced.
The Source: Information in this story is from the Delaware State Police and previous FOX 29 reports.
WILMINGTON — Today, Delaware Governor Matt Meyer ordered all flags at state buildings and facilities to be flown at half-staff in remembrance of the Delaware State Trooper who was killed in the line of duty during the tragic shooting at the Wilmington DMV in New Castle.
Governor Matt Meyer, First Lady Lauren Meyer, Lieutenant Governor Kyle Evans Gay, and Second Gentleman Olin Gay issued the following statement:
“Today, we mourn the loss of a Delaware State Trooper who gave his life in the line of duty. He made the ultimate sacrifice to protect his fellow Delawareans, and our hearts are broken for his family. We are praying for them, their loved ones, and every state trooper as they grieve this sudden and unimaginable loss.
“Protecting the lives and livelihoods of Delawareans is our most fundamental responsibility, and moments like this underscore both the risks our first responders take and the courage they show every day. We are deeply grateful to the state and local law enforcement officers and emergency personnel whose professionalism and quick action helped prevent further harm.”
Flags will remain at half-staff until further notice. For real-time flag status notifications, visit https://news.delaware.gov/subscribe/.
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Delaware
Delaware state police trooper killed in active shooter incident at DMV facility; suspect also dead
This story originally appeared on 6abc.
Delaware state police say a trooper was killed in what officials said was an active shooter situation at a DMV facility in New Castle on Tuesday afternoon.
The suspect in this incident is also dead, Gov. Matt Meyer said.
State police said they are “are continuing to assess additional injuries.” There is no official word yet on the exact number of people injured.
Police say the active shooter incident is now over.
The incident happened around 2 p.m. at the facility on Hessler Boulevard.
No further details have been made available.
Police are asking residents to avoid the area.
Stay with Action News and 6abc.com as this story develops.
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