Chikei Rick Chow, 61, was acquitted of murder after shooting Cyrus Carmack-Belton, 14, in the back during a chase from his convenience store in Columbia. Chow claimed he acted to defend his son Andy after the teen pointed a gun at him.
Key Takeaways
A South Carolina gas station owner was acquitted of murder after shooting a 14-year-old boy he mistakenly thought had stolen bottled water from his store. Chikei Rick Chow claimed he acted to defend his son, who the teen allegedly pointed a gun at during a chase outside the convenience store in Columbia. Prosecutors argued that the teen's gun fell on the ground and posed no threat.
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▼Source Claims Check
2 Differences FoundAll 3 publishers report consistent facts across 1 key claim. 2 points of difference noted.
| Claim | Status | Reason | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gun Threat | 1 Difference | Dailymail.com and Fox News report teen pointed a gun, while CBS News reports multiple witnesses did not see teen point a gun. | ▼ |
| Chase Distance | 1 Difference | CBS News reports chase distance of more than 130 yards, while Fox News reports about 100 yards. | ▼ |
| Verdict Reactions | Broad Agreement | 'We're not celebrating the fact that this young man got killed.' - Jack Swerling |
Gun Threat
▼Dailymail.com and Fox News report teen pointed a gun, while CBS News reports multiple witnesses did not see teen point a gun.
Chase Distance
▼CBS News reports chase distance of more than 130 yards, while Fox News reports about 100 yards.
Verdict Reactions
Broad Agreement'We're not celebrating the fact that this young man got killed.' - Jack Swerling
This analysis is AI-generated and may not perfectly represent each source's reporting. Always read the original articles for full context.
The trial revealed that surveillance footage showed Carmack-Belton taking water bottles out of a cooler before putting them back and leaving the store without any items in his pocket. Prosecutors acknowledged that Carmack-Belton had a semiautomatic pistol but argued it fell during the chase, posing no threat.
After an eight-hour deliberation, the jury found Chow not guilty on Monday. Defense attorney Jack Swerling stated that Chow acted without malice and performed CPR on Carmack-Belton after the shooting. Prosecutor Byron Gipson expressed disappointment with the verdict, stating that multiple witnesses did not see Carmack-Belton point a gun.
The case sparked outrage in Richland County, where nearly half the population is Black. Protesters accused Chow of mistreating black customers and vandalized his store after Carmack-Belton's death. Police records showed that Chow had previously shot at shoplifters twice but was not charged due to self-defense claims.
How this summary was created
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