Full Breakdown
Officer-involved Shooting in Columbia, South Carolina Leaves One Officer Dead, One Wounded
8/30/2026, 8:21:29 AM
Fatal Shooting During a Domestic-Dispute Call
Columbia police responded to a domestic-dispute report at about 9:30 a.m. on Saturday. Officer Christopher DeLong, 29, arrived, learned the suspect had fled, and received a description of the man and his vehicle. Roughly an hour later DeLong and backup Officer David Dymock encountered a matching individual near Hazelwood Road. A gunfight resulted in DeLong’s death, Dymock’s injury (stable condition) and the suspect’s death.
Timeline of the Incident
- ~9:30 a.m. – Dispatch receives a call from a woman reporting a man subject to a restraining order destroying property.
- 9:43 a.m. – Officer DeLong arrives, learns the suspect has left.
- 10:30 a.m. – DeLong spots a man near a vehicle matching the description and calls for backup.
- 10:41 a.m. – Officer Dymock arrives.
- 10:45 a.m. – Dymock radios that officers have been hit and the suspect is down.
People Involved
- Christopher DeLong – 29-year-old Columbia Police Department officer, survived by a wife and two children.
- David Dymock – Officer injured in the exchange; remains in stable condition.
- Adam Tyler Dowdy – 33-year-old suspect identified as the individual shot dead. (Some outlets spell the surname “Downey.”)
Data & Statistics
- Casualties: 1 officer killed, 1 officer injured, 1 suspect killed.
- Suspect’s record: arrests for disorderly conduct, public intoxication, contempt of court, controlled-substance possession, DUI and probation violations in South Carolina, Kentucky, Wisconsin and Georgia.
Official Statements & Responses
Columbia Police Chief W.H. “Skip” Holbrook briefed the media, expressing grief and emphasizing departmental support, saying officers “are not alone.” The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) leads the investigation with assistance from the Richland County Sheriff’s Department. Governor Henry McMaster and other agencies offered condolences. Senator Darline Graham (R-SC) posted a statement on X describing Officer DeLong as a hero and extending prayers for both families.
Verbatim Quotes
- “I hope that our officers know that they’re not alone in this. We will lean on each other in this tragic time,” — Skip Holbrook
- “We gather under the worst of circumstances you could possibly imagine. We’re deeply hurt.” — Skip Holbrook
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
- Suspect’s surname: Most sources list “Adam Tyler Dowdy,” while two outlets use “Adam Downey.”
- Location naming: Reports refer to “Southeast Park,” “South East Park,” and “the Southeast Park area,” all describing the vicinity near Hazelwood Road.
- Exact timing of the initial call: Sources cite “around 9:30 a.m.” and “approximately 9 a.m.”
What’s Next
SLED will continue its investigation, and the park area remains closed while investigators work on the scene. No further threat to the community has been reported.
