South Carolina store owner acquitted of murder in 2023 killing of Black teen wrongly suspected of shoplifting A South Carolina jury acquitted a store owner, Chikei Rick Chow, of murder in the 2023 shooting death of 14-year-old Cyrus Carmack-Belton. Prosecutors argued Chow acted out of anger after suspecting the teen stole water, while the defense maintained Chow was defending his son, Andy Chow, who testified the teen pointed a gun at him. The coroner confirmed the teen died from a gunshot wound to the back, consistent with running away.

• Chikei Rick Chow, a convenience store owner, was found not guilty of murder by a South Carolina jury.
• He was accused of shooting Cyrus Carmack-Belton, a 14-year-old Black boy, in 2023.
• Prosecutors alleged Chow acted in anger over suspected shoplifting of water bottles.
• The defense claimed Chow fired in self-defense after his son, Andy Chow, was allegedly threatened with a gun by the teen.
• Witnesses for the prosecution stated they did not see the teen with a gun, while the defense noted only individuals with the surname Chow testified to seeing a gun.
• The teen died from a gunshot wound to the back, indicating he was running away.
• The incident led to vigils and protests, and the store had a history of calls for assistance related to various crimes.