A Shell convenience store and gas station owner is standing trial on murder charges in the death of an unarmed 14-year-old. Rick Chow, 61, pleaded not guilty to the murder of Cyrus Carmack-Belton, who entered the Columbia, South Carolina, establishment in May 2023.

Convenience Store Murder

According to court documents, Chow chased the victim out of the convenience store and shot him in the back on suspicion that he was stealing, but there was no evidence to prove such. Investigators say there were no signs that a physical confrontation occurred or that the teenager threatened the defendant.

Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott said at a news conference when the charges were brought forth that Chow chased the teenager towards an apartment complex, outside of the store’s property, before shooting him in the back.

Crime scene detectives conceded that the victim did have a weapon on his person, but that Chow had no knowledge or basis to open fire. During a two-day “Stand Your Ground” hearing, Chow’s defense did not convince Judge Scott Sprouse that the murder charge should be dismissed. 

Pretrial Hearing

At Friday’s pretrial hearing, Judge Heath Taylor granted the defense’s request to conceal evidence that Chow previously interacted with law enforcement, saying that the jury will not hear the conversation he had with sheriff’s deputies about the limits of his legal use of force. 

However, if the defense opens the door by claiming that Chow never encountered the deputies, the prosecution has the right to disprove that claim. 

Change of Jurisdiction Request

Defense attorney Jack Swerling requested a change of venue for the trial, asking that it be moved out of Richland County, because of the pretrial publicity. He told the judge that this is a rare request, but to ensure an impartial jury, he felt it was necessary. However, it was denied, and the judge assured the defense that the jurors would be properly screened. 

Opening Statements and Witness Remarks

Prosecuting attorney Byron Gipson delivered opening statements on May 27, 2026, stating that the victim’s life was worth less than four water bottles. Chow’s wife had been watching the teen shop in the store and noticed he put bottles of water in his backpack but put them back, according to the prosecution.

Chow and his family verbally confronted the victim and accused him of stealing. After Carmack-Belton fled the store, the father and son chased him down before Chow pulled the trigger.

An eyewitness, Lori Ann Carson, confirmed the prosecution’s version of events and added that the victim looked “frightened and scared.” She also confirmed she did not see anything in his hands.

Another eyewitness, Kennedy Carson, told the court that the victim’s shoe flew off during the run, and he was holding his pants up with one hand, and nothing in the other. She repeatedly said she never saw a gun in his possession.

Defense Blames Victim

Defense attorney Jack Swerling opened by questioning why the 14-year-old was in possession of a pistol. He claimed that the victim entered the store illegally with an illegal weapon and pointed it at Chow’s son. 

Deputy Derek Inglis testified that he was the first officer to arrive at the scene and saw the victim lying on the ground with a bystander administering life-saving procedures. Multiple witnesses stood nearby as Inglis began assisting with emergency response efforts. 

Officers found key evidence, including a backpack, a 9mm pistol, a tactical laser, and a shell casing. The jury watched bodycam footage and the store’s surveillance video from that day. It showed the victim did not steal anything before leaving the store.

Remembering The Victim

14-year-old Cyrus Carmack-Belton was a student at Summit Parkway Middle School and was remembered as “intelligent, humorous with a quick wit and well-liked by his classmates.” The school told the media that he had dreams of opening a tattoo shop when he was older and becoming famous.