Crime
Victims killed in shooting at Budiman’s Smokeshop in Rock Hill identified, suspect Zachary Elias arrested
Authorities have identified one of the deceased as Emad Thabet, while the identity of the second victim remains undisclosed.
A tragic shooting at Budiman’s Smokeshop & Art Gallery on Cherry Road in Rock Hill claimed the lives of two individuals and left a third seriously injured, according to the Rock Hill Police Department.
The suspect, identified as 28-year-old Zachary East Elias of Columbia, has been apprehended and faces multiple charges, including two counts of murder.
Authorities responded to reports of gunfire at the smoke shop around 9:40 p.m. on Wednesday.
En route, officers received information about the suspect: a white male fleeing the scene in a silver Dodge.
Upon arriving, they witnessed the suspect driving north on Cherry Road. Moments later, the suspect crashed his vehicle near the Catawba River bridge.
As the man exited his truck, officers confronted him. According to police, one officer discharged their firearm but missed.
The suspect then charged toward the officers, prompting them to deploy a stun gun. After a physical altercation, officers subdued Elias and took him into custody.
Inside the smoke shop, police discovered three victims, all suffering from gunshot wounds.
Tragically, two individuals—a male and a female—were pronounced dead at the scene.
Authorities have identified the deceased victims as Emad Thabet Saadalla and employee Celci Johnson.
The third victim, a woman, was transported to a local hospital with severe injuries, including gunshot wounds, broken bones, and a shattered hand.
The injured woman is the mother of six children, ranging in age from 2 months to 15 years old. Her husband, the sole provider for their family, was among those killed in the attack.
Authorities clarified that the victims were not employees of the smoke shop but customers. A fourth individual managed to flee the scene uninjured.
Elias has been charged with two counts of murder, two counts of attempted murder, and possession of a weapon during a crime of violence. He is currently being held at the Rock Hill Jail.
The highway near the scene was closed during the investigation and reopened around 3 a.m. Thursday.
The incident has left a devastating impact on the community, particularly the family of the injured mother and deceased father. Neighbors described the couple as kind and hardworking, having recently relocated to Rock Hill from Florida with their children.
The investigation remains ongoing as authorities work to uncover the motive behind this senseless act of violence.
Anyone with additional information is urged to contact the Rock Hill Police Department.
AMARILLO, TX – A 13-year-old boy has been arrested and charged with murder following a fatal shooting at Benton Park on Tuesday evening, according to the Amarillo Police Department.
At approximately 7:30 p.m. on April 22, officers responded to a report of a shooting at Benton Park, located in the 1400 block of South Vernon Street in east Amarillo.
Upon arrival, officers discovered 18-year-old Ethan DeLeon suffering from a gunshot wound inside a vehicle parked at the scene.
Officers immediately began performing life-saving measures until paramedics arrived. Despite their efforts, DeLeon was pronounced dead at the scene.
Through the course of the investigation, detectives with the Amarillo Police Department Homicide Unit determined that the alleged shooter was a 13-year-old male.
The juvenile suspect was taken into custody and has been booked into the Youth Center of the High Plains on a charge of murder.
Crime Scene Investigators remained on site for several hours Tuesday night, collecting evidence and processing the scene.
Authorities have not yet released details regarding the motive behind the shooting or how the suspect came into possession of a firearm.
The Amarillo Police Department is continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Anyone with additional information is encouraged to contact APD’s Homicide Unit at (806) 378-9468 or submit tips anonymously through Amarillo Crime Stoppers at (806) 374-4400.
This tragic incident has left the community shocked, as questions remain about the involvement of such a young suspect in a deadly act of violence.