Jury selection begins in Richland County today in the murder trial against 60-year-old Rick Chow. The former gas station owner made national headlines in 2023 after he was accused of killing a 14-year-old he thought was shoplifting from his store.
The victim, Cyrus Carmack-Belton, died outside a shell gas station with a gunshot wound to the back. Since the shooting, Chow's attorneys argue he acted in defense of himself and his son, Andy, who prosecutors say chased Carmack-Belton alongside Chow.
Last November, a judge denied Chow immunity from the state’s “Stand Your Ground” law. The decision cleared the way for the murder trial to move forward.
The shooting death of Carmack-Belton sparked civil rights protests and rallies across the Columbia area. Chow’s attorneys attempted to have the trial moved to another county.
That request was denied.
