A South Carolina jury on Monday acquitted convenience store owner Chikei Rick Chow of murder in the 2023 fatal shooting of 14-year-old Cyrus Carmack-Belton, who was suspected of shoplifting. Chow, 61, shot the Black teenager in the back after pursuing him from his store in Columbia, but claimed he acted to protect his son.
What happened
The incident occurred in 2023 when Chow confronted Carmack-Belton, allegedly over the theft of four bottles of water. Prosecutors argued that Chow acted out of anger, chasing the boy more than 130 yards and shooting him in the back as he ran away. Carmack-Belton died from a gunshot wound to his right lower back, consistent with fleeing.
Chow’s defense focused on self-defense, with attorney Shaun Kent stating that Chow fired after Carmack-Belton pointed a gun at Chow’s son, Andy. Andy Chow testified that the teenager threatened him with a semiautomatic pistol during the encounter. Prosecutors acknowledged the presence of a gun but contested that Carmack-Belton never pointed it at anyone, saying it fell to the ground during the chase.
Following the verdict, members of Carmack-Belton’s family expressed distress in the courtroom, while Chow remained solemn.
Why it matters
The case triggered significant community outcry in Richland County, where nearly half the population is Black. Carmack-Belton’s killing ignited protests and vigils, highlighting ongoing tensions around race, self-defense claims, and the use of deadly force in suspected shoplifting cases. The acquittal raises questions about legal boundaries and community safety in similar encounters.
Background
Years before this case, Chow had been involved in other shootings related to shoplifting at his Xpress Mart Shell station, which police ruled as self-defense. Law enforcement responded to hundreds of calls to the store over the past five years related to a range of criminal activities, including theft and assaults. Carmack-Belton’s death intensified public scrutiny over shoot-first tactics by business owners.
Sources
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