Jack Swerling

Rick Chow, a South Carolina store owner, was acquitted of murder after shooting and killing 14-year-old Cyrus Cormack-Belton outside his store in 2023. The jury found Chow not guilty, with the defense claiming self-defense due to the teen's armed actions, while the prosecution argued the weapon posed no immediate threat.

A South Carolina jury found store owner Chikei Rick Chow not guilty of murder in the 2023 shooting of 14-year-old Cyrus Carmack-Belton. The verdict followed a trial where Chow claimed self-defense, asserting the teen pointed a gun at his son, while prosecutors argued the teen posed no threat. Carmack-Belton’s family and community expressed distress over the outcome.

A South Carolina jury found store owner Chikei Rick Chow not guilty of murder in the 2023 shooting of 14-year-old Cyrus Carmack-Belton. The shooting occurred after Chow chased the teen from his convenience store, with Chow claiming self-defense for his son, while prosecutors argued the teen posed no threat. The verdict sparked emotional reactions from Carmack-Belton’s family and community.

A South Carolina jury found store owner Chikei Rick Chow not guilty of murder in the 2023 shooting of 14-year-old Cyrus Carmack-Belton. The incident occurred after Chow chased Carmack-Belton from his convenience store, claiming self-defense to protect his son, while prosecutors argued the teen was shot in the back without posing a threat.