The Columbia Police Department is investigating a shooting near a park on Hazelwood Road that killed one officer and injured a second. The suspect has been killed too, according to 13 WIBW.
The slain officer has been identified as 29-year-old Chris DeLong Jr. The
South Carolina Policy Council, Lancaster PD, Lexington Police(SC) and others remembered DeLong in social media posts.
The injured officer has been identified as David Demick.
Who was Chris DeLong Jr.?
DeLong Jr. was reportedly hired by the department in 2024. He had graduated from the Criminal Justice Academy in January 2025, when he was assigned to the Southeast region.
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“Our hearts are broken this evening,” Columbia Police Chief Skip Holbrook said, 13 WIBW. “We gather under the worst circumstances you could possibly imagine.”
South Carolina Policy Council wrote on X, “Rest in Peace to Columbia Police Officer Christopher Delong Jr. who was shot and killed today (8/29/26) in the line of duty. Officer Delong was a son, a father, a husband, a friend, co worker and a public servant. He leaves behind his wife, two small children and his parents. His father was in Law Enforcement himself.”
{{/usCountry}}South Carolina Policy Council wrote on X, “Rest in Peace to Columbia Police Officer Christopher Delong Jr. who was shot and killed today (8/29/26) in the line of duty. Officer Delong was a son, a father, a husband, a friend, co worker and a public servant. He leaves behind his wife, two small children and his parents. His father was in Law Enforcement himself.”
{{/usCountry}}“Please keep his family, friends and Columbia Police in your prayers as they navigate through this tragedy,” it added.
Lancaster PD wrote on Facebook, “The Lancaster Police Department extends our deepest condolences to the members of the Columbia Police Department, SC and to the family, friends, and loved ones of Officer Christopher DeLong following his tragic line-of-duty death. Officer DeLong made the ultimate sacrifice while serving and protecting the Columbia community. His loss is felt not only by those who knew and served alongside him, but by the entire law enforcement community.
The post added, “We send our continued thoughts and prayers to the other Columbia Police officer who was injured during this incident. We pray for that officers strength, healing, and full recovery. During this difficult time, we ask the Lancaster community to join us in keeping Officer DeLong’s wife, his two young children, his family and friends, and all of the men and women of the Columbia Police Department in your thoughts and prayers. We stand with our brothers and sisters of the Columbia Police Department as they grieve the loss of one of their own. Officer Christopher DeLong, thank you for your service, your courage, and your sacrifice. May you rest easy, Brother. We have the watch from here.”
Meanwhile, Lexington Police(SC) mourned the “tragic loss of Officer Christopher DeLong, Jr. who lost his life in the line of duty today.”
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Columbia Fire Department (SC) wrote on Facebook. “After days like today, there are just no words to express the loss that our city is feeling. Our hearts are broken for our friends and partners at the Columbia Police Department following this morning's tragic shooting. The brave men and women of the CPD stand shoulder to shoulder with our firefighters each day united in the common mission of serving and protecting our citizens. Tonight one brave hero who answered that daily calling, made the ultimate sacrifice. Our prayers are with Officer Christopher DeLong, his loved ones and all who had the honor of serving beside him. We also pray for Officer David Dymock and his family, the Columbia Police Department and all in our community left mourning tonight.”
What we know about the shooting and the suspect
According to police, the suspect, 33-year-old Adam Dowdy of Prosperity, was also killed in the shooting.
It all started when officers received a call around 9:27 am from a woman reporting a domestic dispute. When officers arrived at the location, the woman told police that she had a restraining order against Dowdy, and officers learned he had already left the residence. She gave officers Dowdy’s name, a physical description, and a vehicle description.
Officers went to a different location minutes later after receiving reports of a suspicious person standing near a vehicle that matched the description. Delong Jr. responded to that call as a backup officer, according to police.
DeLong Jr. radioed other law enforcement officers around 10:45 am to report that shots had been fired and Dowdy was down. Police later said that Dowdy was the same suspect from the first incident.
Chief Holbrook said that Dowdy had various previous 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 Demick’s recovery, pray for his family, and pray for these police officers that serve so courageously in our capital city.”
According to CPD, the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) and the Richland County Sheriff’s Department are assisting with the investigation.