A gas station owner in South Carolina has been charged with murder after he allegedly shot a Black 14-year-old boy who he thought shoplifted several bottles of water, authorities said.
Authorities arrested and charged 58-year-old Rick Chow with murder after he fatally shot Cyrus Carmack-Belton in the city of Columbia, according to the Richland County Sheriff’s Office.
During a news conference on Monday, Sheriff Leon Lott said Carmack-Belton did not shoplift from the Shell gas station.
“He did not shoplift anything. We have no evidence that he stole anything whatsoever,” Lott said.
Cyrus was shot in the back after Chow and his son chased down Cyrus.
Summit Parkway Middle School in Columbia reportedly confirmed Cyrus was a student there, and was in its STEM magnet program.
Funeral services for Cyrus are expected to be held this weekend.
More about the case and shooting can be found here.
Blog dedicated to news and viewpoints from Black journalists who support, and inform, communities of color.
Original content, and curated articles, are posted and updated daily.