A Columbia Police Department officer injured in a Saturday shooting that killed his colleague was released from the hospital over the weekend, the department said.
The department said on X that officer David Dymock's condition had improved and he will continue his recovery at home.
"The road to recovery continues, and we know the support surrounding him will mean so much in the days ahead," the department said. "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."
Columbia Police Chief Skip Holbrook said at a press conference Saturday that 28-year-old officer Christopher DeLong was killed and Dymock was injured in a shooting following a domestic violence dispute call that morning.
The suspect, 33-year-old Adam Dowdy of Prosperity, also died in the shooting.
Holbrook said at 9:27 a.m. Saturday that 911 was called to a disturbance in progress. He said a female caller told dispatch she had a restraining order against a man who was in her home destroying property.
DeLong arrived at the home and spoke to the caller, who said the man had left the home, Holbrook said. Minutes before 10 a.m., Holbrook said DeLong called in for a suspicious person that matched the caller's description, and Dymock responded as a backup officer.
Holbrook said at 10:45 a.m. Dymock called in that officers were hit and the suspect, identified as Dowdy, "was down." Holbrook said Dowdy, who had a criminal history that spanned South Carolina, Kentucky, Wisconsin and Georgia, may have been out on bond on a separate domestic violence charge stemming from Dekalb County, Georgia.
"We will lean on each other in this tragic time," an emotional Holbrook said, asking for prayers for the DeLong family to "have strength as they navigate this unimaginable time."
DeLong, of Lugoff, is survived by his wife and two young children.
"This is a nightmare I can’t wake up from. I need you to hold me right now. I’m so sorry an evil person took you from us," DeLong's wife, Hannah, posted on Facebook. "I’m not mad at you for doing the job you loved so much. You’re a hero to us."
An obituary said a visitation for DeLong will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday at Dunbar Funeral Home in Columbia. A funeral will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at Riverland Hills Baptist Church in Irmo, followed by burial honors at Greenhaven Memorial Gardens in Elgin, the obituary said.
