A tragic shooting in Rock Hill, SC leaves two dead and one injured, as the community grapples with t...
A tragic shooting at Budiman’s Smokeshop & Art Gallery in Rock Hill, South Carolina, left two dead and one critically injured. The victims were Celci Johnson, an employee, and customer Emad Saadalla, both shot by 28-year-old Zachary East Elias, who fled the scene but was apprehended after crashing his vehicle. He faces multiple charges, including two counts of murder. The Rock Hill Police Department is conducting an internal review, while the South Carolina State Law Enforcement Division investigates the police response. The community is mourning and coming together to support the victims’ families as healing begins.
In the heart of Rock Hill, South Carolina, there has been a devastating incident that has left the community in shock. On a Wednesday evening, the local authorities responded to a shooting that occurred at Budiman’s Smokeshop & Art Gallery. This incident has drawn attention due to its tragic consequences, with two lives lost and another person injured.
As police officers rushed to the scene, they were informed that the suspect was a white male driving a silver Dodge truck. Upon arrival, they quickly found that the situation was serious. The emergency responders, along with the York County Coroner’s Office, reported the deaths of two individuals: Celci Johnson, who worked at the shop, and Emad Saadalla, a customer. Both had sustained serious gunshot wounds.
Witnesses nearby might have seen a scene unfold quickly. The suspect, identified as Zachary East Elias, age 28, fled the scene but didn’t get far. Officers were able to catch up with him after he crashed his vehicle into a guardrail on the bridge over the Catawba River. Eyewitnesses likely remember the tense moments that followed—police confronted Elias, who did not comply and charged at the officers. In a desperate attempt to detain him, an officer fired their weapon but fortunately missed.
During this confrontation, Elias was tased, which helped officers gain control of the situation. They were able to take him into custody swiftly, and he was transported to the local jail. Charges were immediately filed against him for two counts of murder and other serious offenses related to the shooting.
Meanwhile, the shooting left one woman critically injured, prompting her immediate transport to a nearby hospital. Another woman inside the shop at the time of the shooting managed to escape unharmed by fleeing through a back exit. The contrast of these outcomes presents a stark picture of how a single violent act can rip through the community and affect lives in different ways.
The Rock Hill Police Department is not taking this incident lightly. Along with ongoing investigations into the shooting itself, there is also an internal review being conducted to ensure all protocols were followed during the police response. In addition, the South Carolina State Law Enforcement Division has been called in to conduct an independent investigation into the confrontation that resulted in the use of deadly force. Communities everywhere understand just how critical it is to maintain trust and transparency in such situations.
This heartbreaking event has surely unsettled many in Rock Hill. As news of the shooting circulated, local residents likely felt waves of grief and concern for the victims’ families. There are young children left without parents—a reality that weighs heavily on the hearts of many. Community advocates have begun speaking out, sharing the stories of those affected by this tragic event and reminding everyone of the scars left behind by violence.
From the aftermath of this distressing situation, the hope is for healing and unity among community members. As investigations continue and questions linger, Rock Hill has a chance to rally around those who are suffering and find ways to support them. People in the community will likely come together to ensure that such violence does not happen again.
The court will hold future hearings to address the serious charges against Elias, and many are watching closely to see how this situation unfolds. As the community of Rock Hill works to heal, the focus will be on remembering the lives lost and supporting those who survive.
It is moments like these that remind us of the fragility of life and the importance of community connections—now more than ever, it is crucial to stand together in times of hardship.
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