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COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — Elected officials met a South Carolina community mourning the death of a 14-year-old boy who authorities say was fatally shot in the back by a gas station owner with calls to channel their righteous anger into collective support & political action.
Over 60 people gathered Friday evening for a prayer vigil across the street from the Xpress Mart Shell station in Columbia less than 1 week after authorities say owner Rick Chow killed Cyrus Carmack-Belton after chasing down the Black teenager, whom he wrongly suspected of stealing 4 water bottles.
Chow, 58, was charged with murder after an autopsy showed that Carmack-Belton was shot in the back when off the store’s property running away, Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott said. While Chow thought the youth had shoplifted, investigators said store videos showed Carmack-Belton returned the 4 water bottles to the cooler. Chow’s son told his father that the teen was armed, but there is no evidence that the gun found near Carmack-Belton’s body was ever directed at them.
Authorities said Chow, who has a concealed weapon’s permit, had previously fired at people he suspected of shoplifting on 2 other occasions in the past 8 years & never faced charges.
Richland County Coroner Naida Rutherford stressed to vigil attendees that Carmack-Belton did not have the gun out.
“There was a young boy killed right across the street & he didn’t deserve to die,” Rutherford said.
She also urged peace at the Friday evening service capping a week that has seen nonviolent protests & vandalism outside the store & coming 1 day before Carmack-Belton's funeral.
State Rep. Leon Howard said that both Chow & his son, who officials say participated in the chase, should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.
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