Columbia, SC Shooting: Police Officer Killed, Another Wounded in Southeast Park Gunfight
COLUMBIA, S.C. — A domestic-dispute call escalated into a deadly shooting in Columbia on Saturday, August 29, 2026, leaving Columbia Police Officer Christopher DeLong Jr., 29, dead, another officer wounded and the suspected gunman also dead. The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) is investigating the shooting.
Domestic dispute preceded the shooting
According to Columbia Police Chief W.H. “Skip” Holbrook, officers were dispatched at approximately 9:27 a.m. to the 100 block of Holstein Lane after a woman reported that a man against whom she had a restraining order was at her home and damaging property.
Officer DeLong responded to the residence and spoke with the woman. By the time he arrived, the man had reportedly left the property. The woman provided officers with a description of the man and the vehicle associated with him.
Officer encounters suspect at Southeast Park
After clearing the initial call, DeLong later encountered a man and vehicle matching the description near Southeast Park, located off Garners Ferry Road.
Police said DeLong initiated a call regarding a suspicious person. Officer David Dymock subsequently arrived as backup at approximately 10:41 a.m.
Only minutes later, police radio traffic indicated that officers had been shot and that the suspect was down.
Officer Christopher DeLong killed
DeLong suffered gunshot injuries during the confrontation and was pronounced dead.
He was 29 years old and had served with the Columbia Police Department for approximately two years. He leaves behind a wife and two young children.
His death has prompted an outpouring of condolences from law-enforcement agencies and first responders across the Midlands.
Columbia Police Chief Holbrook described the loss as devastating for the department and community.
Second officer wounded
Officer David Dymock was also injured in the gunfire.
He was transported to a hospital for treatment and was reported to be in stable condition. A procession later took DeLong’s body from the hospital to the Richland County Coroner’s Office, with Dymock reportedly able to observe the procession from the hospital.
Suspect also dies
Police identified the suspect as 33-year-old Adam Tyler Dowdy of Prosperity, South Carolina.
Dowdy also died during the exchange of gunfire.
Authorities said he had an extensive criminal history spanning multiple states. Reports indicate he had faced various previous charges, although investigators have not suggested that those prior cases alone explain Saturday’s shooting.
SLED investigating
The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) has taken responsibility for investigating the officer-involved shooting.
Investigators will examine the evidence from Southeast Park, witness accounts, police communications and other available evidence to reconstruct exactly what happened during the confrontation.
The precise sequence of gunfire and the circumstances immediately preceding the shooting remain under investigation.
Community mourns fallen officer
The shooting has deeply affected the Columbia Police Department and the wider community.
A memorial formed outside police headquarters, where officers and community members placed flowers in honor of DeLong. Fellow law-enforcement officers also participated in the procession honoring the fallen officer.
DeLong’s death represents a devastating loss for his family, colleagues and the department he served.
This remains an active investigation. Authorities are expected to release additional information as SLED continues examining the circumstances surrounding the deadly shooting.
