COLUMBIA, S.C. (WIS) – The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) is investigating an officer-involved shooting near a park on Hazelwood Road Saturday morning that took the life of an officer and injured another.
According to police, the shooting resulted in the death of 29-year-old Chris DeLong. DeLong was hired by the department in 2024 and graduated from the Criminal Justice Academy in January 2025, when he was assigned to the Southeast region.
“Our hearts are broken this evening,” Columbia Police Chief Skip Holbrook said. “We gather under the worst circumstances you could possibly imagine.”
Another officer, David Dymock, was injured in the shooting and has since been released from the hospital.
“We are grateful to share that Officer David Dymock’s condition has improved, and he has been released from the hospital,” the department said in a statement.
“As Officer Dymock continues his recovery and recuperation at home, we ask that you continue to keep him and his family in your prayers. The road to recovery continues, and we know the support surrounding him will mean so much in the days ahead.
CPD extends our appreciation to everyone who has reached out, offered assistance, shared words of encouragement, made donations, and continued to keep both of our officers and their families in your prayers.”
Police say the suspect, 33-year-old Adam Dowdy of Prosperity, was also killed in the shooting.
The incident began when officers received a call around 9:27 a.m. from a woman reporting a domestic dispute in the 100 block of Holstein Lane.
After DeLong arrived around 9:43 a.m., the woman told police that she had a restraining order against Dowdy, and learned he had already left the residence. The complainant provided DeLong with Dowdy’s name, a physical description, and a vehicle description.
Minutes later, DeLong initiated a call at 951 Hazelwood Road regarding a suspicious person standing near a vehicle that matched the description.
Police say Dymock responded to that call as backup.
Around 10:45 a.m., Dymock radioed other law enforcement officers to report that shots had been fired and Dowdy was down. Police later confirmed that Dowdy was the same suspect from the incident on Holstein Lane.
According to Chief Holbrook, Dowdy had several prior arrests across multiple states, including South Carolina, Kentucky, Wisconsin, and Georgia.
“Pray for the DeLong family to have strength as they navigate this unimaginable time,” Chief Holbrook said during a press conference. “Pray for Officer Dymock’s recovery, pray for his family, and pray for these police officers that serve so courageously in our capital city.”
CPD says the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) and the Richland County Sheriff’s Department are assisting with the investigation.
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