Columbia officer killed, another recovering after responding to domestic violence call

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by Kara Daniel

COLUMBIA S.C. (WACH) — What began as a domestic disturbance call Saturday morning ended with a Columbia police officer dead and another recovering after a shooting, authorities said.

Police said officers were investigating a domestic violence dispute when they came across the shooter. Officer Christopher DeLong, 29, died from his injuries, Columbia Police Chief Skip Holbrook said.

“What started today as a very ordinary day has changed everybody’s lives standing here forever,” Holbrook said.

Holbrook said DeLong responded Saturday morning to a domestic disturbance on Holstein Lane. Police said a woman with a restraining order reported that a man was destroying property inside her home. DeLong learned the man had left and obtained his name, description and vehicle information, police said.

That information led officers to Hazelwood Road, where police said they found a man matching the description. Holbrook identified the suspect as Adam Dowdy of Prosperity, South Carolina.

“The suspect has been identified, and this is the only time I will refer to him by his name, is Adam Dowdy of Prosperity South Carolina, he’s a white male 33 years of age,” Holbrook said.

Authorities said Dowdy was the same man officers had been investigating in the earlier domestic violence call. Police said a second officer was shot and is in stable condition and recovering.

“Our thoughts and our prayers are first and foremost with officer DeLong’s family, his loved ones and friends, and his coworkers,” Holbrook said.

The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division is investigating with help from the Richland County Sheriff’s Department. Authorities said they are working to determine what happened when officers encountered Dowdy on Hazelwood Road.

Police said there is no threat to the public.