‘We’re here because of Cyrus.’ Outrage spreads after Rick Chow found not guilty

Protestors held signs Tuesday afternoon outside the Shell gas station formerly owned by Chikei Rick Chow, the man found not guilty of the 2023 murder of Black 14-year-old Cyrus Carmack-Belton, one reading “Justice 4 Cyrus.”

Some passing cars honked, stopped to deliver messages of support out of their windows or handed out water to protestors on the sidewalk.

“This is just another sentiment of where our system failed us,” said John Tyler, a protestor who is Black. “They had every chance to charge this man properly.”

Tyler, a member of the One Common Cause Community Control Initiative, says he was present when Richland County Coroner Naida Rutherford made a public statement regarding Carmack-Belton’s killing in May 2023.

Tyler emphasized that they weren’t there to protest the store itself, but raise awareness about the injustice of the verdict.

“But we’re not here because of the store, because he no longer owns the store. We’re here because of Cyrus,” Tyler said.

The Shell station, which has not been owned by the Chow family since its sale in November 2023 according to public records, is now cordoned off with caution tape. At least three police cars were present on the property on Tuesday afternoon.

The store is closed for entry and the number listed online is disconnected.

It is unclear at this time how long police will remain at the location, or when it will reopen. The State has reached out to the Richland County Sheriff’s Department for comment.

Protests outside the station have remained peaceful, according to people outside the gas station, since the not guilty verdict came in late Monday night, sparking outrage, sorrow and relief in the courtroom.

Tyler criticized lawyers’ decision to not pursue lesser charges in prosecution of the case.

“That should have let us know right there this wasn’t going to go in our favor,” he said.

Another protestor not affiliated with One Common Cause, Yiasia Sanders, had been on the sidewalk protesting for at least an hour by noon, motivated by outrage at the verdict.

“Justice was not served on this child’s behalf,” Sanders said. “We’re angry and we want to use our voice to spread awareness.”

This story was originally published June 2, 2026 at 2:17 PM.