A Columbia, South Carolina police officer, 29-year-old Christopher DeLong, was killed and another, David Dymock, injured in a shooting Saturday at South East Park. The suspect, 33-year-old Adam Tyler Dowdy, also died in the exchange of gunfire. The incident began around 9:30 a.m. when police responded to a domestic dispute call from a woman reporting that Dowdy, against whom she had a restraining order, was destroying property at her home. DeLong arrived on scene and learned Dowdy had left. Approximately an hour later, DeLong initiated a call about a suspicious person after spotting a man and vehicle matching the description provided by the woman. Dymock arrived as backup, and shortly after, both officers were hit, with Dowdy subsequently killed.
Dowdy had a history of arrests across at least four states, including charges of disorderly conduct, contempt of court, public intoxication, and possession of a controlled substance. DeLong had been with the Columbia Police Department for two years and is survived by his wife and two young children. His wife described the loss as “living a nightmare” in a social media post. Police Chief W.H. “Skip” Holbrook described the department as “broken” and urged officers to lean on each other during this tragic time.
The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division is investigating the shooting. Dymock is in stable condition. The incident unfolded after DeLong left the initial domestic disturbance call and began patrolling the area, leading to the confrontation in the park.
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