One officer dead, one injured in a shooting at South Carolina park, police say

South Carolina police officer Christopher DeLong, 29, was killed and another officer, David Dymock, was wounded in a gunfight with a suspect in Columbia on Saturday. The incident occurred after officers responded to a domestic dispute call involving a woman who claimed a man she had a restraining order against was destroying property at her home. The suspect, identified as Adam Tyler Dowdy, 33, was also killed in the confrontation. The shooting took place early Saturday morning, shortly after 9:30 a.m., when officers were dispatched to a residence in response to the domestic dispute. Upon arrival, the officers found the suspect had already left the scene. However, the woman provided a description of the suspect and the vehicle he was driving. Around 10:30 a.m., DeLong spotted a man near a vehicle matching the description and initiated a call about a suspicious person. Dymock arrived as backup shortly thereafter. Minutes later, Dymock radioed that both officers had been hit and the suspect was down. The officers engaged in a gunfight with Dowdy before he was fatally shot. According to police chief W.H. "Skip" Holbrook, the officers were responding to a domestic dispute when they encountered the suspect, who had a long criminal record spanning multiple states. Christopher DeLong had been with the Columbia Police Department for two years and leaves behind a wife and two young children. His wife posted on social media expressing her grief, calling her husband the "best dad to our babies" and stating she was "living a nightmare." Holbrook described the situation as heartbreaking and expressed deep sorrow over the loss of DeLong. He emphasized the need for support among law enforcement personnel during this difficult time. Adam Tyler Dowdy had a history of arrests across at least four states, including South Carolina, Kentucky, Wisconsin, and Georgia. His record included charges such as disorderly conduct, contempt of court, public intoxication, possession of a controlled substance, and probation violations. Holbrook mentioned that Dowdy might have been out on bond for battery in Georgia, though this information needed verification. The chief requested prayers for the DeLong family as they cope with the tragedy. Following the incident, Holbrook held a press conference to update the public on the situation. He confirmed that the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division would investigate the shooting. A spokesperson for the division indicated that the investigation was ongoing. Meanwhile, the community mourns the loss of Officer DeLong, whose dedication to service and protection of others ended tragically in the line of duty. As the investigation proceeds, authorities continue to seek clarity on the events leading up to the fatal encounter. The focus remains on understanding the circumstances surrounding the shooting and ensuring justice for the fallen officer. The community and law enforcement agencies are united in their efforts to support the DeLong family and honor the memory of the officer who gave his life in service to others.