Rick Chow Acquitted in Convenience Store Shooting, Jury Finds Him Not Guilty

Liputan6.com, Jakarta - On June 1, 2026, a Richland County, South Carolina, court acquitted Rick Chow of murder.

This verdict followed a shooting death in 14-year-old Cyrus Carmack-Belton near a convenience store.

The jury's decision was announced after lengthy deliberations.

The tragic incident happened on Memorial Day night in 2023, when Chow shot Carmack-Belton after suspecting the teenager had stolen four bottles of water from his convenience store.

Chow was charged with murder fifteen hours after the incident.

Rick Chow, now 61, was involved in a shooting incident around 8 p.m. on Memorial Day weekend in 2023.

The incident began when Chow, along with his wife and son, Alice and Andy Chow, suspected Cyrus Carmack-Belton of stealing four bottles of water from their convenience store in Columbia, South Carolina.

After the alleged theft, Chow chased Carmack-Belton from the store, shooting him in the back.

The chase reportedly covered more than 130 yards (approximately 119 meters) from the convenience store.

Fifteen hours after the incident, Chow was formally charged with murder, marking the beginning of a lengthy legal process.

During the three-day trial, prosecutors argued that Chow acted out of anger after falsely accusing Carmack-Belton of stealing.

They emphasized that Chow "chased a child and shot him in the back," demonstrating disproportionate force.

Prosecutors also highlighted eyewitness testimony that the teenager did not perceive any threat from the gun.

Although Carmack-Belton was known to be carrying a semi-automatic pistol, prosecutors stated that the weapon fell to the ground during the chase and was never used to threaten anyone.

Senior Assistant Prosecutor Dale Scott emphasized that Carmack-Belton was only a 14-year-old boy, not a "thug" or "gangster," highlighting the victim's age and vulnerability.

Defense attorney Shaun Kent maintained that Chow acted in defense of his son, Andy Chow.

According to Kent, Carmack-Belton pointed the gun at Andy Chow, forcing Rick Chow to make a quick decision to protect his family.

The defense argued that the case was more about self-defense than a convenience store theft.

The defense also supported their argument with 911 calls, body camera footage, and initial statements after the shooting.

They stated that this evidence consistently showed Rick and Andy Chow reported seeing a gun in the victim's hand, supporting the claim of self-defense.

The jury began deliberations Monday afternoon after hearing closing arguments from both sides.

During deliberations, the jury sought clarification from Circuit Court Judge Heath Taylor on the definition of "malice," a crucial element in murder cases under South Carolina law.

Malice is defined as an expression of hatred or hostility, involving a deliberate wrongful act without justification.After deliberating for nearly nine hours, the jury finally announced a verdict of "not guilty" for Rick Chow.

This verdict was met with a wide range of emotions in the courtroom; some expressed relief, while others, particularly family members and supporters of Cyrus Carmack-Belton, expressed disappointment and tears.

Rick Chow himself sat silently and frozen as the verdict was read, before slowly bowing his head.

The Carmack-Belton family chose not to speak to reporters outside the courthouse, reflecting their profound grief.