SEPT 2026. Blues Vol 42 No.9

AROUND THE COUNTRY

AROUND THE COUNTRY COLUMBIA, S.C. Police Officer Christopher DeLong Jr. was shot and killed responding to a domestic disturbance in the Southeast Park area of Columbia. COLUMBIA, S.C. - The Columbia Police Department is investigating a shooting near a park on Hazelwood Road that took the lives of a suspect, an officer, and injured a second officer. According to police, the shooting resulted in the death of 29-year-old Officer Chris De- Long. DeLong was hired by the department in 2024 and graduated from the Criminal Justice Academy in January 2025, when he was assigned to the Southeast region. Another officer, David Demick, was injured in the shooting and is in stable condition. The situation began when officers received a call around 9:27 a.m. from a woman reporting a domestic dispute. After officers got there, the woman told police—including Officer DeLong—that she had a restraining order against Adam Dowdy, and officers learned he had already left the residence. She provided officers with Dowdy’s name, a physical description, and a vehicle description. Minutes later, officers went to another location after receiving reports of a suspicious person standing near a vehicle that matched the description. Police say DeLong responded to that call as a backup officer. Around 10:45 a.m., DeLong radioed other law enforcement officers to report that shots had been fired and Dowdy was down. Police later confirmed that Dowdy was the same suspect from the first incident. According to Chief Holbrook, Dowdy had several prior arrests across multiple states, including South Carolina, Kentucky, Wisconsin, and Georgia. “Pray for the DeLong family to have strength as they navigate this unimaginable time,” Chief Holbrook said during a press conference. “Pray for Officer POLICE OFFICER CHRISTOPHER DELONG, JR. Demick’s recovery, pray for his family, and pray for these police officers that serve so courageously in our capital city.” CPD says the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) and the Richland County Sheriff’s Department are assisting with the investigation. 38 The BLUES SEPTEMBER ‘26

HARRIS COUNTY, TX.— Harris County Precinct 4 Deputy Dante Zepeda was released from the hospital Sunday night following injuries he sustained after being shot in the line of duty while responding to reports of a gunman at an apartment complex Friday night. According to Constable Mark Herman, Zepeda was discharged from the hospital after receiving treatment for gunshot wounds suffered during an incident that occurred around 10 p.m. when Precinct 4 deputies responded to reports of a man discharging a firearm at an apartment complex in the 15800 block of Woodland Hills Drive. Authorities said Zepeda and several other deputies arrived at the scene and were allegedly ambushed when the suspect opened fire on responding officers. Multiple deputies returned fire, and the suspect retreated into an apartment. Investigators later determined that Zepeda and another deputy were struck by shotgun pellets AUTOGRAPHED The BLUES COPIES- - SEPTEMBER CLICK HERE ‘26 39