UPDATE: Family of Cyrus Carmack-Belton Vows to Continue Fight After Not Guilty Verdict in Rick Chow Trial

By Aidan Christion

COLUMBIA, S.C. — The family of Cyrus Carmack-Belton is speaking out following a South Carolina jury’s decision to acquit former convenience store owner Chikei “Rick” Chow in the 2023 fatal shooting of the 14-year-old Black teenager.

The verdict, delivered after more than eight hours of jury deliberations, has left Carmack-Belton’s family devastated and determined to continue seeking justice through civil court.

“We are heartbroken. We do not accept it,” the family said in a statement released following the verdict. “Cyrus stole nothing. He was a child, and he was running for his life. Our son mattered.”

Prosecutors argued during trial that Chow chased Carmack-Belton after falsely accusing him of stealing four bottles of water from a Columbia-area convenience store. Surveillance video presented during the case reportedly showed no evidence that the teen stole the water. Carmack-Belton was ultimately shot in the back while fleeing.)

The defense maintained that Chow acted to protect his son after allegedly believing Carmack-Belton pointed a firearm at him during the chase. A handgun was recovered near the teen’s body, and jurors ultimately found Chow not guilty of murder.

The emotional verdict sparked tears inside the courtroom and renewed protests outside the former gas station where the shooting occurred. Demonstrators gathered carrying signs demanding justice for Carmack-Belton and calling attention to broader concerns surrounding race and accountability within the criminal justice system.

Carmack-Belton’s mother, Nicole Carmack, said she was stunned by the jury’s decision.

“I am devastated. I cannot believe that the jury came back with a not guilty,” she said following the verdict.

His father, Troy Belton, described the outcome as another setback for young Black men and expressed frustration with what he views as a failure of the justice system.

Despite the acquittal, the family’s legal fight is far from over. Attorney Todd Rutherford confirmed that a civil lawsuit against Chow, which had been paused during the criminal proceedings, will now move forward. The family says it intends to pursue accountability through the civil courts.

In a message to supporters, the family thanked the community for standing beside them throughout the three-year legal process and urged demonstrations to remain peaceful.

As the case shifts from criminal court to civil litigation, the verdict continues to spark debate nationwide about self-defense claims, race, gun violence, and what justice means for grieving families seeking answers after the loss of a loved one.