Topline: A Columbia police officer was killed and another was wounded after a domestic-dispute call turned into a deadly gunfight in a city park.
Published: September 1, 2026 10:04 pm ET
Randy Shaw
I cut my teeth in journalism when I began looking into what I saw as abuses of power in my local government. From then on, I was hooked on the dopamine rush of uncovering information.
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COLUMBIA, SC — A Columbia police officer was killed and another was wounded Saturday after a domestic-dispute call led to a gunfight near Southeast Park, leaving the suspect dead as well.
According to reporting by WFLA and KARE11, the shooting unfolded after officers were sent around 9:30 a.m. to a report that a man covered by a restraining order was destroying property at a woman’s home.
Police said Officer Christopher DeLong, 29, responded to the call, learned the man had already left, and was later given the suspect’s name, description, and vehicle information. Around 10:30 a.m., DeLong reported a suspicious person near a vehicle matching that description, and Officer David Dymock arrived as backup minutes before radio traffic indicated both officers had been hit and the suspect was down.
Authorities identified the suspect as 33-year-old Adam Tyler Dowdy. Columbia Police Chief W.H. “Skip” Holbrook said Dowdy had a criminal history spanning multiple states, while DeLong had served with the department for two years and is survived by his wife and two young children. Dymock was reported in stable condition, and the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division is investigating.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
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South Carolina Officer Killed, Another Wounded In Columbia Park Shootout
A Columbia police officer was killed and another was wounded after a domestic-dispute call turned into a deadly gunfight in a city park.
By Randy Shaw
Published: September 1, 2026 10:04 pm ET
COLUMBIA, SC — A Columbia police officer was killed and another was wounded Saturday after a domestic-dispute call led to a gunfight near Southeast Park, leaving the suspect dead as well.
According to reporting by WFLA and KARE11, the shooting unfolded after officers were sent around 9:30 a.m. to a report that a man covered by a restraining order was destroying property at a woman’s home.
Police said Officer Christopher DeLong, 29, responded to the call, learned the man had already left, and was later given the suspect’s name, description, and vehicle information. Around 10:30 a.m., DeLong reported a suspicious person near a vehicle matching that description, and Officer David Dymock arrived as backup minutes before radio traffic indicated both officers had been hit and the suspect was down.
Authorities identified the suspect as 33-year-old Adam Tyler Dowdy. Columbia Police Chief W.H. “Skip” Holbrook said Dowdy had a criminal history spanning multiple states, while DeLong had served with the department for two years and is survived by his wife and two young children. Dymock was reported in stable condition, and the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division is investigating.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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South Carolina Officer Killed, Another Wounded In Columbia Park Shootout
A Columbia police officer was killed and another was wounded after a domestic-dispute call turned into a deadly gunfight in a city park.
By Randy Shaw
Published: September 1, 2026 10:04 pm ET
COLUMBIA, SC — A Columbia police officer was killed and another was wounded Saturday after a domestic-dispute call led to a gunfight near Southeast Park, leaving the suspect dead as well.
According to reporting by WFLA and KARE11, the shooting unfolded after officers were sent around 9:30 a.m. to a report that a man covered by a restraining order was destroying property at a woman’s home.
Police said Officer Christopher DeLong, 29, responded to the call, learned the man had already left, and was later given the suspect’s name, description, and vehicle information. Around 10:30 a.m., DeLong reported a suspicious person near a vehicle matching that description, and Officer David Dymock arrived as backup minutes before radio traffic indicated both officers had been hit and the suspect was down.
Authorities identified the suspect as 33-year-old Adam Tyler Dowdy. Columbia Police Chief W.H. “Skip” Holbrook said Dowdy had a criminal history spanning multiple states, while DeLong had served with the department for two years and is survived by his wife and two young children. Dymock was reported in stable condition, and the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division is investigating.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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