South Carolina Officer Killed, Another Injured in Tragic Domestic Call Shooting

A South Carolina police officer was killed and another was injured on Saturday morning, August 29, 2026 during a gunfight while responding to a domestic violence call in Columbia. The suspect involved in the incident was also killed.

The incident began around 9:30 a.m. when a woman reported that a man, who was subject to a restraining order, was destroying property at her residence. Officer Christopher DeLong, 29, arrived at the scene and gathered a description of the suspect and his vehicle.

At around 10:30 a.m., Officer DeLong spotted a suspicious individual near a matching vehicle at a local park and requested backup. Officer David Dymock arrived shortly after to assist. Minutes later, a call came over the radio stating that both officers had been struck by gunfire and that the suspect was down.

Regarding the status of those involved, 29-year-old Officer Christopher DeLong was pronounced dead following the shootout; he had served two years with the department and is survived by his wife and two young children. His colleague, Officer David Dymock, sustained gunshot injuries during the encounter and remains hospitalized in stable condition. The suspect, identified as 33-year-old Adam Tyler Dowdy, was killed at the scene, with authorities reporting that he possessed a prior criminal history spanning multiple states.

Columbia Police Department Chief W.H. "Skip" Holbrook expressed grief during a news conference, confirming that the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) will lead the ongoing investigation into the shooting.

Following the tragic incident, local officials and community members gathered outside police headquarters to lay flowers and offer prayers for the fallen officer's family and the recovery of his injured colleague. Chief Holbrook emphasized the immense risks law enforcement officers face when responding to domestic dispute calls, commending both officers for their bravery and swift action to protect the public from a violent, repeat offender.