A jury in South Carolina reached a verdict on Monday, finding a store owner not guilty of murder in the 2023 shooting of a 14-year-old. The incident involved Chikei Rick Chow, a 61-year-old Asian store owner, who shot Cyrus Carmack-Belton, a Black teenager, after a chase from Chow’s convenience store in Columbia. Chow claimed he acted to protect his son, leading to widespread emotional responses in Richland County, an area with a significant Black population.
The courtroom atmosphere was intense as the verdict was announced. Family members of Carmack-Belton reacted with distress, while Chow remained motionless, later placing his head in his hands. The trial, held in Columbia, South Carolina, presented differing viewpoints from the prosecution and defense.
Arguments Presented
The prosecution argued that Chow acted out of anger, believing the teen had stolen bottles of water. On the other hand, the defense stated that Chow fired his weapon in defense of his son, Andy Chow, asserting Carmack-Belton had pointed a gun at them. The defense highlighted Andy Chow’s testimony, affirming that the teenager had aimed a firearm in their direction.
Prosecutors verified Carmack-Belton possessed a semiautomatic pistol, but maintained it fell during the pursuit, without being used to threaten anyone. They reported Chow pursued the teenager more than 130 yards from the store. Coroner Nadia Rutherford verified the gunshot wound was in the lower back, aligning with a fleeing position.
Circumstances and Community Reaction
In closing arguments, Solicitor Byron E. Gipson emphasized the lack of confrontation inside the store. A bottle of water was used symbolically in court to stress the perceived value of human life in Chow’s decision. Witnesses, excluding the defense, testified they didn’t see Carmack-Belton armed while running.
The shooting led to vigils and protests, where empty water bottles formed ‘Cyrus’ as a tribute. Previously, Chow had been involved in other shooting incidents at his store, identified by officials as self-defense situations. Between 2018 and 2023, numerous police reports detailed various crimes at the location, including theft and assaults, highlighting a pattern of disturbances in the area.
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