2 minNews
South Carolina police officer killed, another wounded in gunfight with suspect
A Columbia, South Carolina, police officer was killed and another wounded in a Saturday morning gunfight with a suspect who had an extensive arrest record. The suspect was also fatally shot.
A gunfight between a man with an extensive arrest record and two police officers in Columbia, South Carolina, left one officer dead and another wounded on Saturday morning. The officers responded to a domestic dispute call just after 9:30 a.m. at a residence where a woman said a man she had a restraining order against was in her home destroying property. By the time the officers arrived, he had left the scene, but they found him about an hour later and a gunfight ensued.
Columbia police Chief W.H. "Skip" Holbrook identified the slain officer as Christopher DeLong, 29, who had been with the department for two years and leaves behind a wife and two young children. "Our hearts are broken this evening," Holbrook said at a news conference. "We gather under the worst of circumstances you could possibly imagine. We're deeply hurt." The second officer, David Dymock, is in stable condition, Holbrook said, adding that prayers are with him as he recovers from wounds sustained during the gunfight.
The suspect, identified as Adam Tyler Dowdy, was also killed. Holbrook said Dowdy had a series of arrests for disorderly conduct, operating a motor vehicle under the influence, contempt of court, public intoxication, possession of a controlled substance and probation violations. He added that Dowdy may have been out on bond for battery in Georgia, though that information was still being verified. His arrest history spans South Carolina, Kentucky, Wisconsin and Georgia.
Holbrook said he had received condolences from every law enforcement agency in the region as well as from South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster. U.S. Sen. Darline Graham, R-S.C., wrote on X: "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. I'm also praying for Officer David Dymok, who was injured while serving and protecting our community." The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division is investigating the shooting.
