California deputy shot, killed while serving eviction notice
Claudia Cowan reported on the deadly ambush of Detective Randy Hopper, a 35-year-old father and six-year law enforcement veteran, during an eviction in Porterville, California. Authorities said 59-year-old David Morales opened fire, prompting a large police response. After officers deliberately struck Morales with a BearCat armored vehicle, Sheriff Mike Boudreaux said, “He got what he deserved.”
In Columbia, South Carolina, a Saturday morning shootout involving a man with a lengthy arrest history left one police officer dead and a second officer injured, authorities said.
The officers had been dispatched shortly after 9:30 a.m. to a home for a domestic dispute call. A woman told police that a man she had a restraining order against was inside her residence and damaging property.
Police said the man had already left by the time officers reached the home. About an hour later, they located him, and the encounter escalated into what authorities described as a “gunfight.”
Officer Christopher DeLong, 29, was killed Saturday during the exchange of gunfire with the suspect. (Columbia Police Department; WACH)
“Our hearts are broken this evening,” Columbia police Chief W.H. “Skip” Holbrook said at a news conference later Saturday. “We gather under the worst of circumstances you could possibly imagine. We’re deeply hurt.”
Holbrook added, “It’s with heartbreak and sadness that I inform you that one of our officers has succumbed to his injuries.”
Officer Christopher DeLong, 29, had been with the police department for two years and leaves behind a wife and two young children, Holbrook said.
“Our thoughts and prayers are first and foremost with Officer DeLong’s family, his loved ones and friends and coworkers,” he said.
The second officer, David Dymock, is in stable condition, Holbrook said, adding, “our prayers are with him as he continues to recover from wounds sustained during the gunfight.”
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The suspect, identified as Adam Tyler Dowdy, was also killed in the gunfight. (WACH)
The suspect, identified as Adam Tyler Dowdy, was also killed in the gunfight.
Dowdy had a series of arrests for disorderly conduct, operating a motor vehicle under the influence, contempt of court, public intoxication, possession of a controlled substance and probation violations, Holbrook said.
Holbrook added that Dowdy may have been out on bond for battery in Georgia.
“We’re still trying to verify that preliminary information,” he said. “He has a history of several arrests that span through the following states: South Carolina, Kentucky, Wisconsin, and Georgia.”
He asked for people to pray for the DeLong family “to have strength as they navigate this unimaginably difficult time.”
Holbrook said he had already gotten condolences from every law enforcement agency in the region as well as South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster.
“I’m saddened by the tragic loss of Officer Chris DeLong of the Columbia Police Department,” U.S. Sen. Darline Graham, R-S.C., wrote on X. “Officer DeLong answered the call to serve and protect us all, and he lost his life in the line of duty this morning. My prayers are with his family, friends, and the Columbia Police Department. I’m also praying for Officer David Dymok, who was injured while serving and protecting our community. We’re hoping for his quick and full recovery. Law enforcement officers are heroes who protect us every day. We owe them a debt of gratitude for their service and sacrifice.”
The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division is investigating the shooting.