A tragic shooting at Budiman’s Smokeshop & Art Gallery on Cherry Road in Rock Hill, South Carolina, on Wednesday night resulted in the deaths of two people and left a third person seriously injured. Authorities have identified the suspect as 28-year-old Zachary East Elias from Columbia, who is now in custody and facing multiple charges, including two counts of murder. Police responded to the scene around 9:40 p.m. after receiving reports of gunfire. While officers were on their way, they received a description of the suspect: a white male fleeing in a silver Dodge. Shortly after, Elias crashed his vehicle near the Catawba River bridge. Officers attempted to apprehend him, and one officer fired a shot but missed. Elias then charged at the officers, prompting them to use a stun gun to subdue him after a brief struggle.
Inside the smoke shop, police found three victims with gunshot wounds. Tragically, Emad Thabet Saadalla and smoke shop employee Celci Johnson were pronounced dead at the scene. A third victim, a woman who suffered multiple gunshot wounds and broken bones, was rushed to a local hospital in critical condition. This injured woman is the mother of six children, ranging from 2 months to 15 years old. Her husband, the sole provider for the family, was among those killed in the attack. Authorities confirmed that the victims were customers, not employees, and that a fourth individual managed to escape unharmed.
Elias has been charged with two counts of murder, two counts of attempted murder, and possession of a weapon during a violent crime. He is being held at the Rock Hill Jail. The highway near the scene was closed for several hours but reopened around 3 a.m. on Thursday.
The shooting has left the Rock Hill community devastated, particularly affecting the family of the injured mother and her deceased husband. Neighbors described the couple as kind and hardworking, noting that they had recently relocated from Florida to Rock Hill. Authorities continue to investigate the motive behind this senseless act of violence.
Anyone with information about the incident is urged to contact the Rock Hill Police Department as the investigation remains ongoing. The community is in shock and mourning as they come to terms with the impact of this tragic event. The authorities' prompt response and the ongoing investigation highlight their commitment to bringing justice to the victims and ensuring the safety of the community.
