Rick Chow accused of killing Cyrus Carmack-Belton
Rick Chow, 58, a gas station and convenience store owner in Columbia, South Carolina, has been charged with murder after chasing and fatally shooting a 14-year-old boy in the back. Chow believed that the teen, Cyrus Carmack-Belton, had stolen four bottles of water from his store. However, Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott stated that the boy had put the bottles back in the cooler and did not steal anything. Carmack-Belton left the store after getting into a verbal argument with Chow and was running away when Chow’s son gave chase. The store owner also joined the pursuit while armed with a pistol. When the teen fell as he ran, Chow’s son told him that Carmack-Belton had a firearm, and that is when Chow pointed his gun at the teen and shot him once. Investigators later found a gun near Carmack-Belton’s body, but there was no evidence the boy ever pointed the weapon at his pursuers. Self-defense law in South Carolina requires the shooter doesn’t instigate the incident, believes he is in imminent danger and has no way to avoid that danger.
FAQs
What was the reason for the shooting?
The shooting was triggered by a false allegation of shoplifting. Rick Chow, the gas station and convenience store owner, thought that the 14-year-old boy, Cyrus Carmack-Belton, had stolen four bottles of water from his store.
Did the teenager steal anything?
No, Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott stated that the boy had put the bottles back in the cooler and did not steal anything.
Did the teenager have a weapon?
Investigators found a gun near Carmack-Belton’s body, but there was no evidence the boy ever pointed the weapon at his pursuers.
What is the self-defense law in South Carolina?
Self-defense law in South Carolina requires the shooter doesn’t instigate the incident, believes he is in imminent danger, and has no way to avoid that danger.
What is the charge against Rick Chow?
Rick Chow, the gas station and convenience store owner, has been charged with murder.
Accusations made against Rick Chow in the homicide of Cyrus Carmack-Belton.
The owner of a gas station and convenience store in South Carolina has been charged with murder after shooting a 14-year-old boy in the back. Rick Chow, 58, claimed that Cyrus Carmack-Belton had stolen four bottles of water from his Xpress Mart store, but Sheriff Leon Lott said there was no evidence that the teen had stolen anything. Carmack-Belton was running away when Chow’s son pursued him, followed by Chow himself armed with a pistol. When the teen fell, Chow’s son said he had a firearm. Believing the boy to be a threat, Chow pointed his gun and shot him once, the bullet entering his back and eventually causing his death. Among rumours circulating on social media in the aftermath was that the boy was kneeling when he was killed; however, neither the sheriff nor the coroner found evidence to support these claims. Chow’s store was broken into and vandalised following the shooting.