Jury finds Rick Chow not guilty of murder

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WACH) — Rick Chow has been found not guilty on murder charges in the shooting death of a 14-year-old in Columbia.

Chow was charged in the May 28, 2023, shooting death of Cyrus Carmack-Belton outside Chow’s Shell gas station on Parklane Road.

Carmack-Belton ran from the store while being chased by Chow and his son.

Authorities say the pair pursued the teen after accusing him of stealing four bottles of water from the store.

Chow shot Carmack-Belton once in the back after his son claimed the teen had a gun.

Chow was arrested the following day.

In November 2025, a judge denied Rick