Not Guilty Verdict Sparks Community Outcry

A jury in South Carolina acquitted Asian store owner Chikei Rick Chow of murder in the 2023 shooting death of 14-year-old Black teen Cyrus Carmack-Belton, sparking national outcry and deep community division. Prosecutors claimed Chow chased and fatally shot the teen after accusing him of stealing water bottles, while defense attorneys argued Chow fired only to protect his son, claiming the teen had pointed a gun at him. Witnesses contradicted the prosecution’s narrative, saying they never saw the teen with a weapon. The verdict ignited emotional courtroom reactions and fueled protests and vigils across the region. Support the show:Get a discount at https://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/b4723e4db3363e18