Rock Hill, S.C., September 18, 2025
News Summary
Zachary East Elias has been charged with multiple felonies including two counts of murder following a shooting at Budiman’s Smokeshop in Rock Hill, S.C. The incident on December 4 left two dead and one injured. Elias’s defense claims involuntary intoxication due to consuming mislabeled products led to his actions, while the prosecution argues he knowingly sought to alter his mental state.
Rock Hill, S.C. – Zachary East Elias, 29, faces multiple serious charges including two counts of murder, two counts of attempted murder, and possession of a weapon during a violent crime following a shooting incident at Budiman’s Smokeshop & Art Gallery on December 4, 2024. The tragic event resulted in the deaths of two individuals and left a third person injured.
The shooting took place around 9:40 p.m. EST when Elias, armed with an assault rifle and appearing shirtless, entered the smoke shop asking for the “mushroom man” before opening fire inside the establishment. The incident led to the fatal shooting of 27-year-old Celci Johnson, an employee at the smoke shop, and 49-year-old customer Emad Saadalla. A third victim was also shot but survived the attack.
After the shooting, Elias fled the scene in a pickup truck, which he crashed into a bridge over the Catawba River. Following the crash, he exited the vehicle and charged at responding police officers, resulting in one officer deploying a stun gun while another discharged a weapon; fortunately, the latter did not strike Elias.
Since his arrest, Elias has been held in York County jail without bond. His defense attorney, Alexandra Benevento, is appealing for bond on the grounds that Elias’s actions were not driven by criminal intent but were instead a result of involuntary intoxication due to the consumption of mislabeled products from the smoke shop.
Elias is alleged to have consumed “Silly Farms Wavy Wafer” chocolate bars, which were marketed as containing legal mushroom derivatives. However, subsequent testing revealed that the products contained Psilocin, which is categorized as an illegal Schedule I controlled substance. The defense contends that the consumption of these chocolate bars led Elias to experience acute drug-induced psychosis, impairing his ability to comprehend or control his actions during the shooting.
In support of this claim, Dr. Daniel Buffington, a clinical pharmacologist, testified in court asserting that Elias’s ingestion of the psilocybin-containing chocolate bars was the catalyst for his psychosis. The defense’s bond motion argued that the marketing and sale of these illegal products posed a significant threat to public safety, maintaining that without this deception, the shooting incident may not have transpired.
However, the prosecution, led by Kevin Brackett, countered the defense’s argument. He claimed that Elias knowingly purchased the products, emphasizing their intent to alter his mental state, which is reflected in the $32 price per chocolate bar he paid. In a decisive ruling, York County Court Judge William A. McKinnon denied the bond request, highlighting the grave nature of the actions carried out by Elias at the smoke shop.
This case brings to light various legal questions surrounding the accountability of consumers under the influence of substances, and the potential implications for product marketing and public safety. As proceedings develop, the case is expected to garner further scrutiny from legal experts and the public alike.
FAQ
Who is Zachary East Elias?
Zachary East Elias, 29, faces charges of two counts of murder, two counts of attempted murder, and possession of a weapon during a violent crime related to a shooting at Budiman’s Smokeshop & Art Gallery in Rock Hill, S.C., on December 4, 2024.
What happened during the shooting at Budiman’s Smokeshop & Art Gallery?
The shooting occurred around 9:40 p.m. EST when Elias, armed with an assault rifle and shirtless, entered the smoke shop asking for the “mushroom man” before opening fire. The shooting resulted in the deaths of 27-year-old Celci Johnson, an employee of the smoke shop, and 49-year-old customer Emad Saadalla; a third victim sustained injuries but survived.
Why is the defense claiming that Elias should be granted bail?
Elias’s defense attorney, Alexandra Benevento, is arguing for bond, claiming the tragic events were caused not by criminal intent but rather by involuntary intoxication from mislabeled products purchased at the smoke shop.
What were the substances involved in this case?
Elias allegedly consumed “Silly Farms Wavy Wafer” chocolate bars, marketed as containing legal mushroom derivatives, which later testing revealed contained Psilocin, an illegal Schedule I controlled substance.
What was the outcome of the bond hearing?
The bond motion was denied by York County Court Judge William A. McKinnon, citing the severity of the actions Elias took at the smoke shop.
Key Features of the Case
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Defendant | Zachary East Elias, 29 |
| Charges | Two counts of murder, two counts of attempted murder, possession of a weapon during a violent crime |
| Date of Incident | December 4, 2024 |
| Location of Incident | Budiman’s Smokeshop & Art Gallery, Rock Hill, S.C. |
| Victims | Celci Johnson (27), Emad Saadalla (49), one injured survivor |
| Defense Claim | Involuntary intoxication due to consumption of mislabeled products |
| Substance Involved | Psilocin, found in “Silly Farms Wavy Wafer” chocolate bars |
| Court Decision | Bond request denied by Judge William A. McKinnon |
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Additional Resources
- WCNC
- Wikipedia: Murder
- Herald Online
- Google Search: Rock Hill shooting incident
- WSOC TV
- Google Scholar: Crime Law
- QC News
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Public Safety
Author: STAFF HERE ROCK HILL
The ROCK HILL STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERERockHill.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Rock Hill, York County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Come-See-Me Festival, Rock Hill Arts Festival, and motorsport events at the Rock Hill Velodrome. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Rock Hill Chamber of Commerce and the Culture & Heritage Museums, plus leading businesses in manufacturing and technology that power the local economy such as 3D Systems and Comporium. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAiken.com, HEREBeaufort.com, HEREChapin.com, HERECharleston.com, HEREClinton.com, HEREColumbia.com, HEREGeorgetown.com, HEREGreenwood.com, HEREGreenville.com, HEREHiltonHead.com, HEREIrmo.com, HEREMyrtleBeach.com, HERENewberry.com, HERERockHill.com, and HERESpartanburg.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into South Carolina's dynamic landscape.
