Jurors Acquit Store Owner in Shooting Case Involving Teen

A jury in South Carolina returned a not guilty verdict for 61-year-old store owner Chikei Rick Chow in the 2023 shooting death of 14-year-old Cyrus Carmack-Belton. The shooting, which took place after Chow pursued Carmack-Belton from his convenience store in Columbia, drew significant attention and concern in the local African American community.

Chow asserted that he acted to defend his son, claiming that Carmack-Belton pointed a gun at him during the encounter. In contrast, prosecutors argued that Chow shot the teen out of anger over a suspected theft of four bottles of water. They noted that despite acknowledging the presence of a semiautomatic pistol that Carmack-Belton possessed, the gun fell to the ground during the chase and was not used to threaten anyone.

Solicitor Byron E. Gipson criticized Chow's actions, stating, "Chow chased a kid down, shot him in the back," and emphasized that several witnesses did not see Carmack-Belton with a weapon during the pursuit. The incident has sparked vigils and protests, including a notable display of empty water bottles arranged to spell "Cyrus" at one remembrance event.