South Carolina Officer Killed in Gunfight at Columbia Park
A Columbia, South Carolina police officer was killed and a second officer injured in a “gunfight” at Southeast Park on Saturday morning, according to AP News. The suspect was also killed in the exchange of gunfire.
The Incident
The shooting unfolded after officers responded to a domestic dispute call around 9:27 a.m. at a residence in the 100 block of Holstein Lane. A woman reported that a man she had a restraining order against was destroying property at her home. Officer Christopher DeLong, 29, arrived at 9:43 a.m. and learned the suspect had already left the residence, with the woman providing a description of the man and his vehicle.
Minutes after clearing the Holstein Lane call at 10:32 a.m., DeLong initiated a call about a suspicious person at 951 Hazelwood Road in the Southeast Park area. Officer David Dymock arrived as backup at 10:41 a.m., and at 10:45 a.m. radioed that officers “were hit and a suspect was down,” according to WIS News 10.
The Victims and Suspect
DeLong, a two-year veteran of the Columbia Police Department who graduated from the Criminal Justice Academy in January 2025, died from injuries sustained in the shooting. He leaves behind his wife, Hannah, and two young children. His wife, in a social media post, praised her husband as the “best dad to our babies” and said she was “living a nightmare.”
Dymock, who has been with the department since 2024 and is assigned to the Southeast region, was shot and injured but is in stable condition.
The suspect was identified as Adam Tyler Dowdy, 33, of Prosperity, South Carolina. According to Fox News, Dowdy had a lengthy criminal record with arrests across at least four states: South Carolina, Kentucky, Wisconsin, and Georgia. His prior charges included disorderly conduct, contempt of court, public intoxication, possession of controlled substances, probation violations, and operating a motor vehicle under the influence.
Fox 5 Atlanta reported that Dowdy was facing 11 misdemeanor charges in DeKalb County, Georgia, stemming from a June 2025 incident, including multiple counts of family violence battery, simple battery, simple assault, and obstructing emergency calls. Chief Holbrook noted that Dowdy “may have been out on bond for battery in Georgia,” though he said this was preliminary information still being verified.
Community Response
At a news conference Saturday evening, Columbia Police Chief W.H. “Skip” Holbrook expressed the department’s grief. “Our hearts are broken this evening. We gather under the worst circumstances you could possibly imagine,” he said, appearing choked up at times. “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.”
Richland County Coroner Naida Rutherford released a statement honoring DeLong, saying, “We must remember the bravery and dedication of those who serve to protect us. The officer who was killed was not just a member of our law enforcement community; he was a husband, father, friend, and a devoted servant to our community. Officer Christopher Delong’s death exemplifies the danger that our officers face every day, putting their lives on the line to ensure our safety,” as reported by WACH Fox.
U.S. Sen. Darline Graham (R-S.C.) also issued a statement on X, saying, “I’m saddened by the tragic loss of Officer Chris DeLong of the Columbia Police Department. Officer DeLong answered the call to serve and protect us all, and he lost his life in the line of duty this morning. My prayers are with his family, friends, and the Columbia Police Department.”
Several Midlands law enforcement organizations, including the Columbia Firefighters Association, released statements of condolence, as WIS News 10 reported. The Columbia Firefighters Association wrote, “Behind the badge was a husband, a father, a friend, and a man who answered the call to serve knowing the risks that came with it.”
Historical Significance and Investigation
This was the first Columbia Police Department officer killed in the line of duty in more than 50 years, with some reports suggesting it was the first in more than a century, according to The State via Yahoo News.
The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) is investigating the officer-involved shooting, with assistance from the Richland County Sheriff’s Department. Autopsies were scheduled to be performed Sunday morning by the Richland County Coroner’s Office. Police stated there is no ongoing threat to the public, and the park was closed as investigators processed the scene.
Breitbart noted that DeLong’s death highlights the dangers officers face when responding to domestic violence calls, a category of incidents that remains among the most unpredictable and hazardous for law enforcement.
What’s Next
The SLED investigation will continue as authorities work to determine the full sequence of events that led to the gunfight. Questions remain about the specific circumstances that precipitated the exchange of gunfire, the exact relationship between Dowdy and the woman who called police, and the outcome of the Georgia charges Dowdy was facing. The community continues to mourn the loss of Officer DeLong, whose sacrifice has resonated across the region.