Chikei Rick Chow Maintained He Shot 14-Year-Old Cyrus Carmack-Belton In The Back Because He Was Trying To Defend His Son
A South Carolina jury found convenience store owner Chikei Rick Chow not guilty of murder Monday in the 2023 shooting death of 14 year old Cyrus Carmack Belton, a case that drew grief, protests and anger from the Black community in Richland County.
Chow, 61, who is Asian, was accused of shooting Carmack Belton in the back after chasing him from his convenience store in Columbia. The case centered on whether Chow acted out of anger over a suspected shoplifting incident or whether he fired because he believed his son was in danger.
After the verdict was read, sobs and cries could be heard from Carmack Belton’s family members seated in the courtroom gallery. Chow sat silently before lowering his head into his interlocked hands.
The shooting deeply affected Richland County, where nearly half the population is Black. Carmack Belton’s death led to vigils and protests outside Chow’s store in 2023, with empty water bottles arranged to spell out “Cyrus” during one vigil.
Carmack Belton’s family did not speak to reporters outside court after the verdict.
Defense Says Chow Acted To Protect His Son
Defense attorneys argued that the case was not about shoplifting, but about a father reacting after seeing what he believed was a threat to his son.
“This case is not about a shoplifter. This case is about a father who sees a gun pointed at his son and had to make a decision,” defense attorney Shaun Kent told jurors during closing arguments.
The defense said Chow’s son, Andy Chow, testified that Carmack Belton pointed a gun at him during the chase.
After the verdict, defense attorney Jack Swerling said the defense was pleased with the jury’s decision, while also acknowledging the pain of Carmack Belton’s family.
“My heart goes out to them, but 14 year old kid should not be roaming the streets of Columbia or South Carolina with semiautomatic pistol loaded and ready to fire,” Swerling said.
Prosecutors Say Teen Was Shot While Running Away
Prosecutors told jurors that Chow wrongly believed Carmack Belton stole four bottles of water from the store, then chased him more than 130 yards before shooting him in the back.
Solicitor Byron E. Gipson argued that Carmack Belton had a semiautomatic pistol, but said the weapon fell to the ground during the chase and that the teen never threatened anyone with it.
Gipson told jurors that Chow “chased a kid down, shot him in the back.”
During closing arguments, Gipson placed a bottle of water in front of jurors and said Chow “at the end of the day, believed that a human is not more than that.”
Gipson also said multiple witnesses testified that they did not see anything in Carmack Belton’s hands and did not see him point a gun while running from the store.
“Nobody testified that happened that doesn’t have the last name Chow,” Gipson said.
Case Drew Protests After 2023 Shooting
The fatal shooting drew public attention in Columbia and renewed conversations about race, public safety, armed confrontations and the treatment of Black youth in South Carolina.
In the days after Cyrus Carmack Belton’s death, community members gathered outside Chikei Rick Chow’s store to remember the 14 year old and demand accountability. The shooting prompted outrage, with dozens of protesters meeting at the store as grief and frustration spread across the city.
Later that night, authorities said the store was vandalized and looted. The sheriff urged protesters to remain peaceful. Photos from the scene showed graffiti on the building and yellow crime scene tape surrounding the property. Among the spray painted messages were “RIP King Cyrus” and his age, 14.
For Carmack Belton’s family and supporters, the not guilty verdict marked another painful chapter in a case that has carried grief far beyond the courtroom. For Chow’s defense team, the jury’s decision affirmed their argument that Chow believed he was acting to protect his son in a dangerous moment.
Case Echoes Pain From Latasha Harlins Killing
For many, the case also brings back the painful memory of Latasha Harlins, a 15 year old Black girl who was shot and killed in 1991 by Soon Ja Du, a Korean convenience store owner in Los Angeles.
Du accused Harlins of trying to steal a bottle of orange juice. A jury convicted Du of voluntary manslaughter, but Judge Joyce Karlin suspended the prison sentence and gave Du five years of probation, 400 hours of community service and a $500 fine.
The sentence caused deep anger in Los Angeles’ Black community. Prosecutors had sought prison time, and the jury had convicted Du, but the judge ruled that Du acted under duress and extreme provocation, pointing to previous robberies at the store.
The killing of Harlins, along with the acquittal of the officers involved in the beating of Rodney King, became part of the broader public outrage that fueled the 1992 Los Angeles uprising.
Du did not serve prison time and largely avoided public life after the case.
