Zachary East Elias Arrested; – Rock Hill Police are conducting an investigation following a shooting incident at a smoke shop on Wednesday night that resulted in two fatalities and one injury. Authorities responded to reports of gunfire at Budiman’s Smokeshop & Art Gallery.
While en route to the location, officers received information indicating that the suspect was a white male driving a silver Dodge vehicle. Upon arrival, officers observed the suspect enter the truck with a firearm and flee northbound on Cherry Road, ultimately crashing at the bridge over the Catawba River.
The suspect, identified as 28-year-old Zachary East Elias, was confronted by law enforcement. One officer discharged their weapon at Elias but did not make contact. Elias then charged at the officers and was subdued with a Taser before a physical altercation occurred. The officers successfully restrained him and took him into custody.
Inside the smoke shop, investigators discovered three individuals suffering from gunshot wounds. A male and a female victim were pronounced dead at the scene, while another female was transported to a hospital for treatment. Additionally, another woman present in the store escaped unharmed by fleeing during the incident.
Elias was subsequently taken to the Rock Hill Jail, where he was charged with two counts of murder, two counts of attempted murder, and one count of possession of a weapon during a violent crime. The Rock Hill Police Department continues to investigate the incident and is also conducting an internal review. The South Carolina State Law Enforcement Division has been notified and will carry out an independent investigation.
