During a press conference on Monday, Sheriff Leon Lott revealed the teenager had not shoplifted anything from the store. He later described the shooting as “unjustified” and “senseless.”

As he commented on Sunday’s tragic event, Lott told the media and members of the community, “You don’t do what happened last night.”

The interaction between Chow and Carmack-Belton began around 8 p.m. The teen and the store owner argued after Chow accused the 14-year-old of stealing water he touched.

Although Carmack-Belton touched the bottles, surveillance footage showed he placed them back in the cooler.

After the teen left the store, Chow’s son chased Carmack-Belton into a nearby apartment complex.

Lott stated the teen tripped and fell before Chow shot him in the back after his son claimed the teen had a gun.

Columbia, South Carolina

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