USA30 August, 20263 min read
Adam Dowdy Kills Columbia Police Officer Christopher DeLong In South Carolina Park Shooting
This article is an automated aggregation of coverage from news outlets. Our editorials offer in-depth analysis curated by the NewsCord team.
Columbia Police Officer Christopher DeLong, 29, killed in Southeast Park gunfight; another officer wounded. Shooting occurred while responding to a domestic dispute; suspect also died in the exchange.
9 outlets told this the same way.
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Officer killed in Columbia
A shooting near Southeast Park in Columbia, South Carolina killed one police officer and injured a second after officers responded to a reported domestic dispute, with Columbia Police Chief W.H. “Skip” Holbrook saying the suspect also died.
ABC News reported that Holbrook said the deceased officer was 29-year-old Christopher DeLong, who had been with the police department for two years, and that the second officer, David Dymock, was in stable condition.
Post and Courier identified DeLong as the officer killed and said the suspect was Adam Dowdy, a 33-year-old from Prosperity, who was also killed in the shootout.
The incident began when officers responded to a domestic violence call on Holstein Lane, and Post and Courier said DeLong left the home around 10:30 a.m. before arriving at the park a few minutes later.
Post and Courier added that at 10:41 a.m. Dymock arrived as backup and four minutes later radioed that officer had been hit and the suspect was down.
Holbrook, Wilson, and family
At a Saturday news conference, Holbrook told reporters, “Our hearts are broken this evening,” and said, “I hope that our officers know that they’re not alone in this.”
ABC News reported that Holbrook said the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division would investigate the shooting, and a spokesperson for that agency said in an email that the investigation was ongoing.
Post and Courier said DeLong’s wife, Hannah DeLong, wrote in a Facebook post, “I am heartbroken. My person. My love. The best dad to our babies and the person I’ve been with since I was 16 was killed today in the line of duty,” and added that she wrote, “Somebody wake me up.”
The State quoted Holbrook saying, “Our hearts are broken this evening,” and described the suspect responsible for the shooting as Adam Dowdy, 33, who was also killed from the incident.
FITSNews reported that U.S. senator Tim Scott said, “The hearts and prayers of South Carolinians are with the family of the fallen Columbia police officer who made the ultimate sacrifice serving and protecting others,” and said he also prayed for the injured officers’ recovery.
Investigation and what’s next
Multiple outlets said the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division and the Richland County Sheriff’s Department were investigating the officer-involved shooting, with WCBD News 2 saying SLED and the sheriff’s department were investigating and that there was no ongoing threat to the public. WIS News 10 reported that CPD said SLED and the Richland County Sheriff’s Department were assisting with the investigation, and it described the incident as beginning around 9:27 a.m. in the 100 block of Holstein Lane. WIS News 10 also said the suspect, 33-year-old Adam Dowdy of Prosperity, was killed, and it quoted Holbrook urging, “Pray for the DeLong family to have strength as they navigate this unimaginable time.”
The State said Southeast Park is more than 60 acres and features walking trails, a pond, and tennis and pickleball courts, and it reported that the Richland County Sheriff’s Department said the scene was secure around 12:03 p.m. WCIV said the park was closed and that authorities said people should avoid the area as investigators and first responders continued their work, while it added that autopsies would be performed Sunday morning by the Richland County Coroner’s Office.