Case Background

A Columbia, South Carolina jury has acquitted 61-year-old store owner Chick Hai Rick Chow of murder charges stemming from the May 30, 2023 shooting of 14-year-old Cyrus Carmack Belton. The incident occurred at a local gas station after Chow and his son confronted the teen over suspected theft of a water bottle.

Pros

• Jury found the store owner not guilty after reviewing video evidence and testimony.
• Defense argued the teen had aimed a loaded firearm at Chow and his son before fleeing.

Cons

• Critics claim the shooting occurred while the teen was running away, raising questions about the level of ongoing threat.
• Media coverage has been accused of oversimplifying the confrontation as merely a dispute over a water bottle.

Specs

• Distance cited in some reports: approximately 130 yards from the point of confrontation to where the teen fell.
• Firearm reportedly dropped at the location where Belton was shot, contradicting claims it was discarded earlier during flight.

“You did good,” host Paul Glasco remarked at the outset, later warning viewers that “this is that riot moment” and urging caution in the area. He added that “every time something like this happens, it’s hurt whitey time,” framing the verdict as a potential flashpoint for unrest.