By Kashmira Konduparty
A South Carolina jury on Monday found convenience store owner Chikei Rick Chow not guilty of murder in the 2023 shooting death of 14-year-old Cyrus Carmack-Belton, a verdict that prompted emotional reactions from the teen’s family and renewed debate over self-defence laws, according to a report by CBS News.
Chow, 61, shot Carmack-Belton in the back after chasing him from his convenience store in Colombia, South Carolina. The store owner maintained throughout the trial that he fired in defense of his son, Andy Chow, who he said had been threatened by the teenager with a firearm.
The case stemmed from an incident on May 28, 2023, when Carmack-Belton entered the store and was accused of attempting to steal four bottles of water. Prosecutors argued that the teen ultimately put the bottles back and left the store without taking anything. They said Chow pursued him for more than 130 yards before shooting him.
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During the trial, prosecutors argued that the shooting was unjustified and driven by anger over the suspected theft. They argued that although Carmack-Belton was carrying a semi-automatic pistol, the weapon had fallen to the ground during the chase and was never pointed at anyone. Several witnesses testified that they did not see the teen holding a gun or threatening the Chow family as he ran away.
Defense attorneys presented a different account, arguing that Chow acted to protect his son, after Carmack-Belton pointed a firearm at him. The defense told jurors that the store owner was forced to make a split-second decision and acted in what he believed was the defense of another person. Chow, who held a concealed weapons permit, also performed CPR on the teen after the shooting, a fact his attorneys cited during the trial.
After deliberations, the jury returned a not-guilty verdict. Members of Carmack-Belton’s family were visibly emotional as the decision was announced in court. Attorneys representing the family said they disagreed with the outcome and intend to pursue a civil lawsuit related to the shooting.
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The killing sparked protests and vigils across Columbia in 2023 and became a focal point for discussions about race, gun violence and the use of deadly force. Community members gathered outside the store in the weeks following the shooting, demanding accountability and justice for the teenager.
With the criminal case now concluded, attention is expected to shift towards potential civil proceedings as Carmack-Belton’s family continues its efforts to seek accountability for the teen’s death.
Convenience store killings have become an alarming pattern in the United States, particularly among immigrant-owned businesses that often operate late hours and with minimal staffing. Recently, the killing of Meghnaben Patel at a convenience store in Virginia came to light, underscoring the risks faced by small-business operators across the country.