A 14-year-old boy identified as Cyrus Carmack-Belton has been shot dead by a gas station owner in South Carolina on Sunday at 8 p.m. The accused identified as Rick Chow has been charged with murder for the shooting. As per the reports, Chow suspected the victim was there to steal bottled water.
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Who was Cyrus Carmack-Belton?
Cyrus Carmack-Belton was a 14-year-old boy. He entered the store while visiting family in town, as per media reports. Cyrus entered Chow’s store, where Chow and his son suspected Cyrus of stealing bottled water. When they confronted Cyrus, he reportedly started running away. After which Chow’s son chased him, after realizing that Cyrus has a gun in his possession. Despite no reaction and altercation from Cyrus. Chow shot Cyrus in the back, and the teen died on the spot.
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Rick Chow, a 58-year-old man, has been charged with murder for shooting the teen. Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott condemned Chow’s act and said “You don’t shoot somebody in the back if he’s not a threat to you. It’s the same standard that we do, that cops have to live by. You have to be defending someone’s life or your life. There has to be an immediate danger to you. Someone who is running away has no indication that he is pointing a gun at anyone while he’s running away, he was shot in the back. Even if he had shoplifted four bottles of water, it’s not something you shoot anyone over much less a 14-year-old.” in a press conference.
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Police also cleared that there was no fight between the store owner and the teen, as he has no wounds, scratches, or injury to his body.
Coroner Naida Rutherford condoled the demise of Cyrus Carmack-Belton and also talked to his parents. Police said the investigation is still in progress and they are looking for different angles in it.
