Police: 2 dead in Rock Hill smoke shop shooting after suspect used ‘psychedelic substance’
Two people were killed and another wounded Wednesday in a Rock Hill smoke shop shooting that occurred hours after the alleged shooter bought a “psychedelic substance” from the business, police said.
Zachary East Elias, 28, of Columbia, shot two women and a man around 9:40 p.m. after going in Budimans’ Smoke Shop and Art Gallery on North Cherry Road, Rock Hill Police Department detective Robert Smith said in Rock Hill Municipal Court Thursday afternoon.
Celci Johnson, 27, of Rock Hill, a female employee, died at the scene, according to court testimony and a written statement from the York County Coroner. Emad Thabet Saadalla of Rock Hill, 49, whom the coroner identified as a customer at the store, also died at the scene.
A woman wounded has not been identified by police or court documents. The extent of her injuries is unclear after emergency crews took her to a hospital. A fourth person not hit in the gunfire ran to safety through a back exit, Smith said.
The incident was captured on camera at the store, according to arrest warrants obtained by The Herald.
Elias appeared in court on charges of two counts of murder, two counts of attempted murder and possession of a weapon during a violent crime.
Police: Shootings “without provocation”
No details have been released about a possible motive for the shootings. Smith said in court Elias opened fire without provocation after going in the store.
“His actions were deliberate, violent, and without justification,” Smith told Judge Sara Russell.
After shooting the three people in the store, Elias then walked into a back room of the shop where he allegedly looked for additional victims, Smith said in court.
Elias allegedly made incoherent statements at the time of the shooting, Smith told Judge Russell.
Elias had consumed a “psychedelic substance” some time before the shooting, Smith said in court. Elias purchased the substance from the same store earlier in the day, Smith said.
Family members of the victims told the judge in court they are “devastated” by the shootings.
Elias did not speak in court other than to say he was going to hire a lawyer.
Rock Hill Municipal Judge Sara Russell denied Elias bail at the end of the hearing.
Suspect fled then crashed at Catawba River Bridge
Elias fled the shooting in a vehicle and crashed on U.S. 21 at the Catawba River bridge north of Interstate 77 after the shooting, Smith said.
Elias got out of the wrecked vehicle and police confronted him, the department said in a written statement.
One officer fired at Elias before he charged police, but did not hit Elias with the shot, according to the statement from the department. Officers used a stun gun to subdue Elias and take him into custody, the department said in the statement.
It remains unclear why Elias was at the York County smoke shop around 70 miles north of where he lives.
What happens next?
The investigation into the shooting at the store remains ongoing, police said.
Rock Hill police chief Chris Watts asked the State Law Enforcement Division to do an outside independent investigation of the officer-involved shooting at the crash scene. SLED has not released any information about the case.
Elias will be sent to the York County jail.
This story was originally published December 5, 2024 at 8:41 AM.
