Columbia Police Officer Christopher DeLong, 29, was killed and a second officer wounded in a gun battle at a Columbia, South Carolina park Saturday morning. The suspect, 33-year-old Adam Dowdy, also died in the exchange of gunfire.
How the Encounter Began
The chain of events started around 9:30 a.m. Saturday when a woman called police to report that a man she had a restraining order against was outside her home destroying her property. DeLong responded and left the home, but minutes later radioed in about a suspicious person after spotting a man near a vehicle matching the woman’s description.
The Gunfight
Officer David Dymock arrived as backup and radioed shortly after that officers had been hit and a suspect was down. Dymock was treated and was in stable condition following the shooting. DeLong died from his injuries.
The Suspect’s History
Columbia Police Chief Skip Holbrook said Dowdy had an extensive arrest record spanning South Carolina, Kentucky, Wisconsin, and Georgia, and was in violation of a restraining order at the time of the shooting.
DeLong’s Service
DeLong had been with the Columbia Police Department for two years, joining in 2024 and graduating from the Criminal Justice Academy in January 2025. He is survived by his wife and two young children.
