Tragic Officer-Involved Shooting in Columbia: Remembering Officer O Christopher DeLong
A tragic incident occurred in Columbia as one police officer lost his life and another was injured in an officer-involved shooting following a domestic violence call. The Columbia Police Department received a report of a disturbance at Holstein Lane, where a woman reported that a man she had a restraining order against was causing damage to her property. The suspect, identified as Adam Downey, had fled the scene before officers arrived.
After receiving a description of the suspect, officers later spotted a vehicle matching the description on Hazelwood Lane. A confrontation ensued, resulting in the suspect, Downey, being shot by officers. Downey, who had a significant criminal record across multiple states, may have been out on bond at the time of the incident.
During the altercation, 29-year-old Officer O Christopher DeLong lost his life in the Southeast Park area of Columbia. He had been with the department for two years. Another officer sustained injuries but is currently in stable condition. The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division has been called in to investigate the shooting.
Stay informed about local events and news by downloading the WYFF News 4 app from the App Store or Google Play. Tragedies like this serve as a reminder of the risks law enforcement officers face daily in the line of duty.