South Carolina jury finds store owner not guilty of murder in killing of Black teen

Chikei Rick Chow not guilty verdict sparks viral Chinese food boycott calls

A viral X video calling for a boycott of Chinese food gained attention after a South Carolina jury acquitted store owner Chikei Rick Chow. 

South Carolina store owner walked free after a murder acquittal. Then the victim's family called for something much bigger than a protest

A South Carolina jury recently found convenience store owner Chikei Rick Chow not guilty of murder in the 2023 death of 14-year-old Cyrus Carmack-Belton in Columbia. In the trial, prosecutors argued that Chow chased and shot Cyrus after a false shoplifting accusation. According to CNN, the jury accepted the defense argument that Chow fired his weapon because he believed the teen pointed a gun at his son during the pursuit. Following this decisio…

South Carolina jury finds store owner not guilty of murder in killing of Black teen

An image of Cyrus Carmack-Belton is displayed in court during closing arguments in the murder trial against his shooter, Chikei Rick Chow, a convenience store owner accused in the 2023 fatal shooting of the 14-year-old, Monday, June 1, 2026, in Columbia, S.C. (AP Photo/Erik Verduzco) ASSOCIATED PRESS COLUMBIA, S.C — A South Carolina jury on Monday found a store owner not guilty of murder in the 2023 shooting of a Black 14-year-old. The jury retu…

The ‘Black Church’ responds to acquittal of store owner in shooting death of Black teen

The mother of 14-year-old Cyrus Carmike-Belton stands with her attorney Todd Rutherford, National Action Network, NAACP and Richland County pastors opposed to the not guilty verdict. South Carolina Public Radio | By Rochelle Dean National and local civil rights activists and preachers speak out on the not guilty verdict for Rick Chow. The Richland County store owner was acquitted Monday in the 2023 shooting death of a 14-year-old boy. The lawn…