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by ERIN PARROTT
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Days after a violent confrontation at a Columbia, South Carolina park claimed the life of one police officer, another is continuing his recovery at home.
Columbia Police Department (CPD) officer David Dymock has been released from the hospital after his condition improved following Saturday’s (August 29, 2026) deadly shooting at Southeast Park in eastern Richland County.
“We are grateful to share that Officer David Dymock’s condition has improved, and he has been released from the hospital,” CPD announced Sunday (August 30, 2026).
Dymock was wounded alongside 29-year-old officer Christopher DeLong, who succumbed to his injuries following what Columbia police chief Skip Holbrook described as a “gunfight.”
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“As Officer Dymock continues his recovery and recuperation at home, we ask that you continue to keep him and his family in your prayers,” CPD noted. “The road to recovery continues, and we know the support surrounding him will mean so much in the days ahead.”
Saturday’s violence unfolded after DeLong was dispatched to a domestic disturbance in the 100 block of Holstein Lane at approximately 9:27 a.m. EDT on Saturday (August 29, 2026).
According to Holbrook, a woman told police a man against whom she had obtained a restraining order was at her residence “destroying property.”
DeLong arrived at the home shortly before 9:45 a.m. EDT, but the suspect – identified as 33-year-old Adam Dowdy of Prosperity, S.C. – had already left.
The woman provided police with Dowdy’s name along with descriptions of him and his vehicle.
Approximately an hour later, DeLong spotted a person standing near a vehicle matching that description at Southeast Park, located at 951 Hazelwood Road, and initiated a suspicious persons call.
Dymock arrived as DeLong’s backup at approximately 10:41 a.m. EDT. Four minutes later, Dymock radioed that “officers were hit and a suspect was down.”
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Dowdy died following the exchange of gunfire. DeLong was transported to the hospital, where he later died from his injuries. Dymock survived and was initially listed in stable condition before being released from the hospital over the weekend.
As noted in our prior coverage, Dowdy’s criminal record included convictions for disorderly conduct, operating a motor vehicle under the influence, contempt of court, public intoxication, possession of a controlled substance and probation violations, among other offenses.
At the time of Saturday’s shooting, Dowdy was reportedly out on bond while facing an assault and battery charge in DeKalb County, Georgia. Authorities said his previous encounters with law enforcement stretched across at least four states.
The circumstances surrounding the exchange of gunfire remain under investigation by the S.C. State Law Enforcement Division (SLED), which was called in at CPD’s request.
Meanwhile, the Columbia community continues to rally around the families of both officers.
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CPD announced that those wishing to support the DeLong and Dymock families can contribute through Serve & Connect’s Tragedy Response Program, which provides assistance to law enforcement families and agencies following critical incidents and line-of-duty deaths.
“In the wake of the tragic line-of-duty death of Officer Christopher DeLong and the injury of Officer David Dymock, many members of our community have asked how they can support our officers and their families,” the department said.
CPD said it was “deeply grateful” for the prayers, messages, donations and other acts of support offered following the shooting.
DeLong had served with CPD since 2024 and graduated from the South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy in January 2025 before being assigned to the department’s Southeast region.
He leaves behind his wife and two young children.
As previously reported by FITSNews, DeLong’s wife described him as the “best dad to our babies” while mourning the loss of the man she had been with since she was 16 years old.
Saturday’s shooting remains under investigation.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR…
Erin Parrott is a Greenville, S.C. native who graduated from the University of South Carolina in 2025 with a bachelor degree in broadcast journalism. Got feedback or a tip for Erin? Email her here.
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