S.C. Store Owner Charged After Fatally Shooting 14-Year-Old

Self-defense law in S.C. requires that the shooter does not instigate the incident, believes he is in imminent danger, and has no way to avoid that danger.

On Tuesday, a gas station owner accused of chasing a 14-year-old boy and fatally shooting him in the back, made his first court appearance.

Rick Chow accused Cyrus Carmack-Belton of shoplifting four bottles of water from his Xpress Mart Shell station in Columbia, S.C.. However, authorities said the boy put the waters back in the cooler and was not on the store’s property after running away when he was killed.

Chow’s son who was also involved in the chase, said the teen was armed, and a gun was found near his deceased body, but it is unclear who the firearm belonged to. There was also no evidence that the boy ever pointed the weapon at chow or his son.

Chow was charged after deputies spoke to witnesses and reviewed video footage that captured the incident.

An autopsy revealed the boy was shot in the back and Self-defense law in S.C. requires that the shooter does not instigate the incident, believes he is in imminent danger, and has no way to avoid that danger.

Chow is currently detained and a bond hearing will be held at a later date.