A North Carolina gas station store owner was charged with murder for Sunday’s shooting which killed a 14-year-old boy.
Rick Chow, 58, and his son allegedly chased Cyrus Carmack-Belton from his Shell gas station in Columbia before Chow opened fire down the road. WIS reported that Carmack-Belton suffered a gunshot wound to the low back and died.
Chow allegedly believed the 14-year-old had shoplifted from his store — but Richland County police said this was untrue. Sheriff Leon Lott said the teen had taken four bottles of water from a cooler but he put them back.
Prior to the shooting, Chow’s son reportedly told him that Carmack-Belton was armed. A gun was discovered near his body, according to WIS.
However, police said there was no indication Carmack-Belton pulled the gun on Chow or threatened him before the shooting. Lott claimed the teen was running away when he was killed, WIS reported.
Lott claimed that there have been other incidents at this store involving customers and the owners.
Chow was booked into the Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center. An investigation is ongoing.
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[Featured image: Rich Chow/Handout]
