COLUMBIA — The incident began with a call about a domestic dispute, Columbia Police Chief W.H. "Skip" Holbrook stated. A woman called police around 9:30 a.m. on August 29, 2026, reporting that a man with a restraining order against her was destroying property at her home.

Officer Christopher DeLong arrived at the residence and learned the suspect had left. The woman provided Officer DeLong with a description of the suspect and his vehicle. Around 10:30 a.m. Officer DeLong initiated a call about a suspicious person after seeing a man near a vehicle matching the description. Officer David Dymock arrived as backup.

Officers radioed at 10:45 a.m. that they had been hit and the suspect was down. The shooting occurred at Southeast Park in Columbia, South Carolina.

The suspect was identified as Adam Tyler Dowdy, who was 33 years old. Adam Tyler Dowdy had a criminal history spanning at least four states, including charges for disorderly conduct, contempt of court, public intoxication, possession of a controlled substance, and probation violations. Police stated there is no ongoing threat to the public.

Holbrook addressed the department regarding the tragedy. "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," he said.

The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division is investigating the shooting. The Richland County Sheriff’s Department is assisting in the investigation.

Why It Matters

The death of Officer Christopher DeLong and the injury of Officer David Dymock represent a loss for the Columbia Police Department. DeLong had served with the department for two years and leaves behind a wife and two young children. The incident involves risks officers face when responding to domestic dispute calls, which involved a suspect with a known criminal history and an active restraining order.

The involvement of multiple agencies, including the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division and the Richland County Sheriff’s Department, reflects the procedural response to officer-involved shootings in the state. The ongoing investigation aims to determine the full circumstances surrounding the event at Southeast Park. Community and departmental support remains focused on the affected families and officers during this period.

Timeline

Columbia Police Chief W.H. Skip Holbrook stated the incident began with a call about a domestic dispute. Holbrook said, "Our hearts are broken this evening." He also said, "I hope that our officers know that they’re not alone in this. Let’s pray for this department." The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) is investigating the shooting, with the Richland County Sheriff’s Department assisting, and the investigation was ongoing as of August 29, 2026.

What's New

Columbia Police Chief W.H. 'Skip' Holbrook responded to the incident and stated that Officer Christopher DeLong was killed and Officer David Dymock was injured during a shooting that occurred after a domestic violence call. One Columbia Police Department officer was killed and another injured during an officer-involved shooting on August 29, 2026, at Southeast Park off Garners Ferry Road in Columbia, South Carolina.