A 29-year-old police officer was killed and a second officer was injured Saturday in Columbia, South Carolina, after a gunfight erupted in a park. The incident followed a call about a domestic dispute involving a woman who reported a man with a restraining order against him was destroying property at her home.
Christopher DeLong, the officer who died, arrived at the scene around 9:30 a.m. and left the residence about an hour later after learning the suspect had left. He then encountered a man matching the woman’s description near a vehicle, leading to a confrontation. Officer David Dymock, who arrived as backup, was struck and remains in stable condition. The suspect, 33-year-old Adam Tyler Dowdy, also died in the exchange of gunfire.
Columbia Police Chief W.H. “Skip” Holbrook confirmed the details in a news conference Saturday evening, stating that Dowdy had a lengthy criminal record with arrests in at least four states. Charges against Dowdy included disorderly conduct, contempt of court, public intoxication, possession of a controlled substance, and probation violations. The shooting occurred near South East Park, approximately 20 minutes from downtown Columbia.
DeLong, who had served with the Columbia Police Department for two years, leaves behind a wife and two young children. Holbrook expressed grief during the news conference, stating, “Our hearts are broken this evening.” DeLong’s wife later described him on social media as “the best dad to our babies” and said she was “living a nightmare.”
The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) is investigating the incident. Holbrook did not take questions at the press conference but emphasized support for the officers involved, saying, “I hope that our officers know that they’re not alone in this. We will lean on each other in this tragic time. Let’s pray for this department.”
A procession involving law enforcement officials was held Saturday night from the hospital where Dymock was treated.