South Carolina jury finds store owner not guilty of murder in killing of Black teen
Summary
A South Carolina jury found Chikei Rick Chow, a store owner, not guilty of murder in the 2023 shooting of a Black 14-year-old named Cyrus Carmack-Belton. Chow said he shot the teen to protect his son after the teen allegedly pointed a gun at him, but prosecutors argued the teen was shot after being chased and did not threaten anyone.Key Facts
- The incident happened in 2023 in Columbia, South Carolina.
- Chikei Rick Chow is 61 years old and of Asian descent.
- Cyrus Carmack-Belton was a 14-year-old Black teenager who was shot in the back.
- Chow said he shot the teen to defend his son, who testified the teen pointed a gun at him.
- Prosecutors argued Carmack-Belton dropped his gun during the chase and did not threaten anyone.
- The teen was chased about 130 yards from the convenience store before being shot.
- The verdict caused grief and anger among Carmack-Belton’s family and the local African American community.
- Carmack-Belton’s family plans to file a civil lawsuit despite the not guilty verdict.
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