Summary (tl;dr)

A South Carolina jury has found convenience store owner Rick Chow not guilty of murder in the 2023 fatal shooting of 14-year-old Cyrus Carmack-Belton, who was wrongly suspected of shoplifting. The verdict, delivered after three days of evidence and eight hours of deliberation, has sparked strong reactions and is trending as the public discusses the outcome of this high-profile case.

Essential Background

In May 2023, Rick Chow, then 58, and his son chased 14-year-old Cyrus Carmack-Belton from their Shell gas station on Parklane Road in Columbia, South Carolina, after mistakenly believing the teenager had stolen four bottles of water. Surveillance video later confirmed that Carmack-Belton did not steal anything. During the pursuit, Chow fatally shot Carmack-Belton in the back. Chow was subsequently charged with murder, and the incident caused considerable anguish within the African American community in Richland County.

The Full Story

The trial of Rick Chow, 61, for the murder of Cyrus Carmack-Belton recently concluded in a South Carolina courtroom. After hearing testimony and closing arguments, a South Carolina jury on Monday, June 1, 2026, unanimously found Rick Chow not guilty of murder. The prosecution had argued that Chow acted out of anger, chasing and shooting an unarmed teenager who was trying to flee. Conversely, the defense contended that Chow fired to protect his son, who claimed Carmack-Belton pointed a gun at him during the chase. The verdict was met with a mix of relief from Chow's supporters and cries of distress from Carmack-Belton's family members in the courtroom.

Why It Matters

This case has drawn significant attention, trending widely due to its implications for self-defense laws, racial justice, and the perceived value of life within the legal system. The tragic death of a Black teenager, wrongly accused of a minor theft, and the subsequent not-guilty verdict for the store owner, have intensified conversations about community safety, accountability, and racial dynamics, particularly within Richland County. The outcome underscores the complexities of high-profile legal proceedings and has left many questioning the justice system's role in such emotionally charged circumstances.

Geographic Location

• 7441 Parklane Road, Columbia, Richland County, South Carolina, United States (location of the Shell gas station where the incident began)
• Springtree Drive, Columbia, Richland County, South Carolina, United States (location where Cyrus Carmack-Belton was chased and fatally shot)
• Richland County Courthouse, Columbia, Richland County, South Carolina, United States (location where the trial took place and the verdict was read)