Rick Chow, a store owner in South Carolina, has been charged with murder after fatally shooting a teenager whom he wrongly believed had stolen water from his store. It has now come to light that Chow has a history of shooting at suspected shoplifters, with two previous incidents in the past eight years. In both previous cases, he did not face charges.

In 2018, at his Xpress Mart Shell station in Columbia, Chow confronted a shoplifter who then attacked him. In response, Chow fired two shots, injuring the assailant, who later pleaded guilty to charges related to the incident. Similarly, in 2015, Chow fired multiple shots at a vehicle after attempting to stop someone he suspected of shoplifting. The suspect got into the vehicle and threatened to shoot Chow, but no injuries were reported.

Law enforcement authorities have stated that Chow’s actions in these previous cases were not considered criminal. Self-defense laws in South Carolina dictate that the shooter must not have instigated the incident, must genuinely believe they are in immediate danger, and have no viable means to avoid that danger.

The case has sparked discussions about the need for clearer guidelines and training for business owners in handling situations involving potential theft and the use of force. Balancing the protection of one’s property with the safety and well-being of all individuals involved remains a challenging issue.