The acquittal of former convenience store owner ChikeiRick Chowin the fatal shooting of 14-year-old Cyrus Carmack-Belton has reignited painful divisions in South Carolina, with community leaders warning against racial backlash after calls emerged on social media urging people to boycott Asian-owned businesses.
A jury in Columbia found Rick Chow, 61, not guilty of murder over the 2023 death of Carmack-Belton, a Black teenager who was shot during a chase that began outside Chow's convenience store. The verdict has left the victim's family devastated and prompted renewed demonstrations demanding justice.
Emotions ran high in the courtroom as the decision was delivered. Members of Carmack-Belton's family reportedly broke down in tears, while Chow remained seated silently before lowering his head into his hands.
The case has been one of the most closely watched criminal trials in South Carolina in recent years, touching on issues of race, self-defence, gun ownership and community trust.
The fatal incident took place on 28 May 2023 at a petrol station and convenience store on Parklane Road in Columbia.
Carmack-Belton entered the shop before Chow and his son, Andy, and accused him of stealing bottled water. Authorities later said surveillance footage showed the teenager had not taken anything from the store, but another CCTV footage showed Cyrus taking water from the fridge.
What followed was a confrontation that escalated into a pursuit stretching more than 130 yards (390 feet) away from the business.
During the trial, prosecutors argued that Chow acted out of anger after wrongly believing the teenager had stolen four bottles of water. They maintained that Carmack-Belton was fleeing when he was shot in the back.
A handgun was recovered near the teenager after the shooting. However,prosecutors insisted the weapon had fallen during the chaseand that Carmack-Belton never pointed it at anyone.
Solicitor Byron E. Gipson told jurors that Chow had 'chased a kid down' and placed a bottle of water before the court while arguing that a young life had been valued less than a minor misunderstanding.
Source: International Business Times UK
