A 29-year-old police officer died in Columbia, South Carolina on Saturday and a second was injured after a man with an extensive criminal record opened fire on the officers in a park.
Christopher DeLong responded to a call around 9:30 a.m. from a woman who said a man she had a restraining order against was “destroying property at her home,” according to the Associated Press. DeLong left the home about an hour later to find a man who matched the woman’s description near a vehicle, at which point a “gunfight” broke out.
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Columbia Police Chief W.H. “Skip” Holbrook said in a news conference Saturday evening that the second officer involved in the shooting, David Dymock, is in stable condition, and that DeLong had been with the department for two years.
“I hope that our officers know that they’re not alone in this,” he said. “We will lean on each other in this tragic time. Let’s pray for this department.” Holbrook did not take questions at the press conference, but said the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division is investigating the shooting. DeLong leaves behind a wife and two young children.
“I am saddened by the tragic loss of Officer Chris DeLong of the Columbia Police Department,” Sen. Darline Graham (R-SC) said Saturday night. “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 Dymock, who was injured while serving and protecting our community. We’re hoping for his quick and full recovery. Law enforcement officers are heroes who protect us every day. We owe them a debt of gratitude for their service and sacrifice.”
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The suspect, 33-year-old Adam Tyler Dowdy, also died in the gunfight. Holbrook said he has been arrested across at least four states, and has faced charges including disorderly conduct, contempt of court, public intoxication, possession of a controlled substance, and probation violations.
The shooting unfolded near the South East Park, which is about a twenty minute drive from Columbia’s downtown.
