Police officer dead, second injured in shooting at South Carolina park

A police officer in South Carolina’s capital city died, and a second was injured Saturday in a shooting at a park, the Columbia police chief said. The suspect also died, said Columbia Police Department Chief W H “Skip” Holbrook.

Mr. Holbrook said at a news conference Saturday (August 29, 2026) evening that the incident began as two officers responded to a reported domestic dispute.

“Our hearts are broken this evening,” Mr. Holbrook said, adding that the deceased officer was survived by a wife and two young children.

“I hope that our officers know that they’re not alone in this. We will lean on each other in this tragic time,” Holbrook said. “Let’s pray for this department.” The deceased officer was 29 years old and had been with the police department for two years, Holbrook said.

The second officer was in stable condition from wounds sustained during a “gunfight,” the chief said.

The suspect was a 33-year-old man with a lengthy criminal record, the chief said.

Mr. Holbrook did not take questions but said further briefings would be forthcoming.