Rick Chow, a convenience store owner in Columbia, South Carolina, has been acquitted of murder charges for the 2023 shooting death of 14-year-old Cyrus Cormack-Belton. Chow had been held without bond for over three years leading up to his trial. The incident occurred on May 28, 2023, when Chow and his son pursued Cormack-Belton out of their store, suspecting him of shoplifting. Chow shot the teen, who was reportedly carrying a semiautomatic pistol. The defense argued Chow acted in self-defense after the teen aimed his weapon at his son, while the prosecution contended the gun posed no threat. After a three-day trial, a jury deliberated for approximately 8 1/2 hours before returning the not-guilty verdict on Monday.