SC’s Clyburn ‘prays justice is swift’ in shooting death of 14-year-old Cyrus Carmack-Belton
U.S. Rep. Jim Clyburn said he prays that “justice is swift” following the shooting death of Columbia 14-year-old Cyrus Carmack-Belton.
Carmack-Belton, who is Black, was shot and killed Sunday not far from the Shell gas station at 7441 Parklane Road, where he had an argument with store owner Rick Chow, who followed him out of the store before shooting the teenager, according to the Richland County Sheriff’s Department. Chow, 58, who accused the teen of shoplifting, is now charged with murder.
Chow appeared Tuesday before a magistrate inside the Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center, where he is being held on the murder charge. Bond will be set at a later date by a circuit court judge.
“This tragedy should have never happened,” Clyburn, D-Santee, said in a statement Tuesday. “The criminalization of Black men and boys and the historic trend of painting them as aggressors have time and again led to deadly and heartbreaking circumstances. Cyrus Carmack-Belton has since been declared innocent, but his supposed crime of shoplifting a bottle of water should not have cost him his life.”
At a press conference Monday, Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott said the shooting happened at about 8 p.m. Sunday. Carmack-Belton went into the gas station, where Lott said the owners suspected him of shoplifting. Lott said the 14-year-old did not shoplift.
An argument started inside the store, the sheriff said, and Carmack-Belton took off running. He was followed by Chow, who had a pistol, and his son as the teenager headed toward the nearby Springtree Apartments off Springtree Drive, Lott said.
During the chase, Lott said the teen fell down and got back up. At that point, Chow shot Carmack-Belton in the back, Lott said.
Richland County Coroner Nadia Rutherford said Monday that Carmack-Belton died from a single gunshot wound to his right lower back. She said the gunshot wound caused hemorrhaging, as well as significant damage to the teen’s heart.
“I’m horrified and deeply saddened by the senseless murder of” Carmack-Belton, Clyburn said. “His family and loved ones should be celebrating his recent eighth grade graduation from (Richland 2 school district’s) Summit Parkway Middle School. Instead, they are mourning this unimaginable loss. My prayers are with them and the entire community during this devastating time.”
