Store Owner Rick Chow Charged With Murdering 14-Year-Old Accused of Stealing

In South Carolina, a convenience store owner has been charged with murder after allegedly shooting a 14-year-old Black boy in the back on Sunday night. The boy was falsely accused of shoplifting, chased, and then fatally shot, according to authorities.

According to the Richland County Sheriff’s Office, Rick Chow, a 58-year-old store owner, was charged on Monday after accusing Cyrus Carmack-Belton of stealing four water bottles from his Xpress Mart Shell Station in Columbia.

According to Sheriff Leon Lott’s statement at a news conference on Monday, Cyrus was not guilty of shoplifting and the shooting was deemed unjustified.

According to Sheriff Lott, at approximately 8 p.m., Mr. Chow and his son, whose identity has not been disclosed by the sheriff’s office, pursued Cyrus towards a neighboring apartment complex. The teenager stumbled and then regained his footing.

According to Sheriff Lott, Mr. Chow’s son witnessed Cyrus carrying a gun, and as a result, the store owner fatally shot Cyrus in the back. According to the authorities, there is no evidence to support the claim that Cyrus aimed a firearm at the store owner or his son.

According to Sheriff Lott, the shooting was deemed “disturbing.” He stated that even if Cyrus had indeed shoplifted the water bottles, it is not justifiable to shoot anyone over such an offense, especially a 14-year-old.

On Tuesday night, calls seeking comment from Mr. Chow’s lawyer went unanswered.