![Store owner found not guilty [titlebase]: Chikei Rick Chow Acquitted in Shooting Death of 14-Year-Old Cyrus Carmack-Belton](https://www.floriparesort.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/store-owner-found-not-guilty-titlebase-chikei-rick-chow-acquitted-in-shooting-death-of-14-year-old-cyrus-carmack-belton.webp)
floriparesort.com – 02 June 2026 | A South Carolina jury has found Chikei Rick Chow, a 61-year-old store owner, not guilty in the shooting death of 14-year-old Cyrus Carmack-Belton. The Store owner found not guilty [titlebase] verdict was delivered after nearly nine hours of deliberation, with the jury considering the evidence presented in the case. The shooting occurred in May 2023, when Chow fatally shot Carmack-Belton in the back after chasing him from his convenience store in Columbia, South Carolina.
According to the prosecution, Chow mistakenly believed that Carmack-Belton had stolen four bottles of water from the store, leading to the chase and subsequent shooting. However, the defense argued that Chow acted in defense of his son, Andy, after Carmack-Belton allegedly pointed a gun at him. The jury ultimately found Chow not guilty, with the Store owner found not guilty [titlebase] decision sparking a mix of emotions in the courtroom.
The case had sent shockwaves through the Black community in Richland County, with many expressing outrage and grief over the shooting. The Store owner found not guilty [titlebase] verdict has only added to the sense of frustration and disappointment felt by many. As one of the prosecutors, Solicitor Byron E. Gipson, noted, the case was not just about a shoplifter, but about a human life that was lost. The Store owner found not guilty [titlebase] decision has raised questions about the value placed on human life, with Gipson emphasizing that a human is worth more than a bottle of water.
![Shanghai Knife Attack [Titlebase]: A Brutal Incident Sparks Concerns Over Safety](https://www.floriparesort.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/shanghai-knife-attack-titlebase-a-brutal-incident-sparks-concerns-over-safety-60x60.webp)
The trial saw both the prosecution and defense present their cases, with the jury carefully considering the evidence before delivering the Store owner found not guilty [titlebase] verdict. The case has highlighted the need for greater understanding and empathy, particularly in cases involving allegations of shoplifting. As the community comes to terms with the Store owner found not guilty [titlebase] decision, it is clear that there is still much work to be done to address the underlying issues that led to this tragedy.
In conclusion, the Store owner found not guilty [titlebase] verdict has brought an end to the trial, but it is only the beginning of a longer conversation about justice, equality, and the value of human life. As the community moves forward, it is essential that we continue to grapple with the complex issues that underlie this case, and work towards creating a more just and compassionate society for all.