Cyrus Carmack-Belton

Jury Acquits Rick Chow of Murder in Gas Station Shooting

Rick Chow has been acquitted of murder charges in the shooting death of 14-year-old Cyrus Carmack-Belton. Carmack-Belton was shot in the back on May 28, 2023, after being pursued by Chow and his son, who accused the teen of shoplifting. Despite Chow’s claim that Carmack-Belton possessed a gun, surveillance footage did not support the theft allegation. After serving three years in prison, a jury reached a unanimous not guilty verdict following eight hours of deliberation.

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Bond Denied Again in 2023 Gas Station Shooting Death of 14-Year-Old

Rick Chow, the former owner of a Columbia gas station, has been denied bond for a second time in connection to the fatal shooting of 14-year-old Cyrus Carmack-Belton. Chow is accused of chasing Carmack-Belton from his store in May 2023 and shooting him in the back, allegedly for stealing bottled water. Despite arguments from his defense team, including the presence of DNA evidence linking Carmack-Belton to a gun found at the scene, the prosecution maintained that Chow remains a danger and a flight risk. A pretrial hearing for the case is scheduled for November.

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