This is the Day 3 of 4 trial report of the murder trial of Rick Chow, accused of killing Cyrus Carmac Belton after he suspected the child of shoplifting. Rick Chow pleads not guilty on the grounds of self-defence.
Case Report
Factual background:
Chow and his son, Andy, pursued Carmack-Belton for over 130 yards down a nearby street, during which the teenager lost a shoe and fell. As the chase unfolded, Chow drew a concealed handgun and shot Carmack-Belton once in the lower back, resulting in a fatal injury. While Carmack-Belton was carrying a loaded 9mm handgun in his possession, prosecutors argued he was running away and posed no active threat, whereas Chow’s defense maintained he fired under defense of others because his son claimed Carmack-Belton pointed a firearm at him during the pursuit.
Criminal complaint:
CHARGES:
1. 2nd Degree Murder of Cyrus Belton – Not Guilty – decided on 1st June 2026
Victim(s): Cyrus Carmack-Belton (14 Years Old)
Courthouse: Richland County Courthouse, South Carolina.
Officers of the court
Judge:
Attorneys
Prosecution:
SC Dale Scott
SC Byron Gipson
SC Stephanie Wilson
SC Weston Liefer
Defence:
Jack Swirling
Shaun Kent
Patrick Wright
Legend:
SC = Solicitor
SC v. Rick Chow – Day 3 Trial Summary
Day 3 of the trial (May 29, 2026), marked the transition from the State resting its case to the presentation of the defense’s evidence in State v. Rick Chow. The defense called three witnesses—Andy Chow (the defendant’s son), Investigator Richard Carter, and off-duty Deputy Sheriff Shelby Bradwell—to build a defense-of-others claim and demonstrate immediate post-shooting emergency efforts before resting its case. Andy Chow delivered central testimony claiming that 14-year-old Cyrus Belton tripped during the foot chase, drew a handgun, and pointed it at him as he got up, prompting Andy to shout “he has a gun!” before Rick Chow commanded Belton to drop it and fired a single shot. Investigator Carter introduced bodycam video recordings capturing the immediate post-shooting statements of both Rick and Andy Chow, including clarification that Rick pushed the dropped firearm near a tree. Finally, Deputy Bradwell detailed how she administered chest compressions while Rick Chow performed mouth-to-mouth resuscitation by clearing vomit from Belton’s airway, anchoring the defense’s position regarding the defendant’s immediate attempt to render life-saving aid.
Witness-by-Witness Summaries
Andy Chow (Rick Chow’s Son)
Key summaries (Click arrow for more)
Defendant Rick Chow’s son, who directly participated in the foot pursuit of Cyrus Belton.
Summary Of Testimony
Andy Chow testified that after Belton ran from the store, he and his father pursued him. He stated that Belton tripped, got up while drawing a gun, and pointed it toward him. Andy shouted “he has a gun!”, his father commanded Belton to “drop it!”, and after Belton refused, his father fired one shot. Under cross-examination, Andy admitted he initially believed Belton had stolen merchandise due to a pocket bulge he barely noticed at the time, acknowledged he did not notice Belton’s shoe fall off, and conceded that the shooting would not have occurred had Belton stayed in the store or not pulled a firearm.
Key evidence introduced!
- Nothing Of Note.
Full report below!
Sources:
LIVE: Gas Station Store Murder Trial  — SC v Rick Chow  — Day Three, Law & Crime Trials Youtube Channel, Available Online: https://www.youtube.com/live/WM0OREDpwsU?si=PJYQnxgXlM7ENelb
