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Jury hears opening statements in trial of South Carolina store owner who fatally shot Black teen
Prosecutors say Rick Chow shot the teen after a chase over water bottles, while defense lawyers argue he acted to protect his son.
- On Wednesday, the murder trial of convenience store owner Rick Chow began at the Richland County Courthouse in Columbia, addressing the May 28, 2023, shooting death of 14-year-old Cyrus Carmack-Belton.
- Prosecutors allege Chow falsely accused the teen of stealing 4 water bottles before chasing him 130 yards down Springtree Drive, where authorities say Chow shot him in the back.
- Defense attorney Jack Swerling argued Chow reacted to an imminent threat, claiming the teen pointed a pistol at Chow's son Andy, while Fifth Circuit Solicitor Byron Gipson stated the teen's life "was worth less than 4 bottles of water."
- Witness Lori Carson testified she saw the teen running "frightened" and "scared" without a gun in his hands, later observing Chow in a shooting position while the teen lay on the ground.
- In November 2025, a judge denied Chow immunity under South Carolina's Stand Your Ground law, ruling the 60-year-old a danger to the community, as the trial continues following the 2023 incident that sparked protests in Richland County.
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Jury hears opening statements in trial of South Carolina store owner who fatally shot Black teen
A South Carolina jury heard opening statements in the trial of a store owner charged with murder in the killing of a Black 14-year-old.
·United States
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Malice? Or protecting his son? - Trial for store owner accused of killing 14-year-old begins
COLUMBIA, SC (WOLO) — The trial of Columbia convenience store owner, Rick Chow — accused of shooting and killing 14-year-old Cyrus Carmack-Belton in 2023 — began Wednesday morning. The teen’s death gained national headlines and sparked civil rights protests across the city. During opening statements, Prosecutor Byron Gipson told the 12 jurors that 14-year-old Carmack-Belton was killed with malice, falsely believed to have shoplifted from Chow’s …
·Columbia, United States
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Total News Sources16
Leaning Left4Leaning Right3Center6Last UpdatedBias Distribution46% Center
Bias Distribution
- 46% of the sources are Center
46% Center
L 31%
C 46%
R 23%
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