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.
Crime
34-year-old Augusta Fireman Spencer Johnson charged in accidental shooting of his 3-year-old son in Harlem
Johnson, a decorated firefighter from Augusta, was arrested on Friday.
A Columbia County father, Spencer Allen Johnson, 34, of Harlem, Georgia, has been charged with child cruelty after his 3-year-old son, Evan Johnson, accidentally shot himself in the shoulder with an unsecured firearm.
According to authorities, the incident occurred Thursday night when the child accessed an unsecured firearm in his father’s bedroom.
The young boy, left unsupervised, discharged the weapon, resulting in a gunshot wound to his shoulder. Fortunately, the child is expected to make a full recovery.
Johnson, a decorated firefighter from Augusta, was arrested on Friday.
He faces charges of child cruelty stemming from criminal negligence, which authorities allege caused “excessive physical pain” to his son through neglectful supervision. He is currently being held at the Columbia County Detention Center with bond set at $10,100.
The Harlem Police Department did not initially release information about the shooting. However, as rumors of the incident spread on social media, the situation was later confirmed by both WGAC’s Austin Rhodes and the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office late Friday evening.
Early Saturday morning, Harlem Police Chief issued a statement on the department’s Facebook page, stating that the case remains under investigation as new details emerge.
The Chief’s statement suggests that the full circumstances surrounding the shooting are still being determined.
In his booking photo, Johnson is seen wearing an anti-suicide smock, a standard precautionary measure taken in some detention facilities.
The incident has sparked discussions about gun safety and parental responsibility. Authorities are expected to release further information as the investigation unfolds.
Meanwhile, the Columbia County community remains concerned about ensuring proper firearm storage to prevent similar tragedies.