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 individualsโa male and a femaleโwere 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
14-Year-Old Middleton High School Student Carson Chrapkowski Dies After Bicycle Crash, Driver Alyssa Anderson Arrested
MIDDLETON, Idaho โ A 14-year-old Middleton High School student has died after being struck by a vehicle while riding his bicycle near the high school Friday night, according to the Middleton Police Department.
The teenager was transported by Life Flight to St. Lukeโs Boise following the crash but died from his injuries early Saturday morning.
Middleton police said the crash involved a vehicle and a bicyclist near Middleton High School. The 14-year-old suffered critical injuries and was flown to a Boise hospital for emergency medical treatment.
Police announced Saturday morning that the young bicyclist had succumbed to his injuries.
The teen was identified in the information provided for this report as Carson Chrapkowski, a Middleton High School student. However, the police departmentโs public statement did not release the teenagerโs name.
Police arrested 41-year-old Alyssa Louise Anderson in connection with the crash. Anderson was booked into the Canyon County Jail.
According to police, Anderson is facing charges of vehicular manslaughter, aggravated DUI and leaving the scene of an injury accident.
Authorities have not released additional details about the circumstances leading up to the collision or the specific allegations supporting the DUI charge.
The crash remains under investigation by the Middleton Police Department and Idaho State Police. Investigators have not released further information about the sequence of events or whether additional charges could be filed.
Police said they are continuing to work to establish the circumstances surrounding the fatal crash.
The Middleton Police Department expressed condolences to the teenagerโs parents, family, friends, classmates and others affected by his death as the community mourns the loss of a young student.