Asian Store Owner Assassinates Teen Shoplifter

You can file this under Asian Hate:

There's been a long and troubled history of African Americans and Asian shop owners hating each other.

It is perhaps the dramatic cultural differences or simply the fact that crime has exploded across our nation.

CP has no understanding as to why Asian Americans seek to own c-stores in Black neighborhoods.  Perhaps it is the low acquisition costs of existing businesses and the failure of enterprising Asians to ask why is this business so cheap?

But now a convenience store owner in South Carolina is facing murder charges after he shot and killed a 14-year-old boy he suspected of shoplifting.

The Richland County Sheriff’s Department says the shooting happened at a Shell gas station on Parklane Road in Columbia, around 8 p.m. Sunday.

Rick Chow, who owns the Shell gas station chased Cyrus Carmack-Belton from his store and shot him just down the road.

“It’s senseless, it doesn’t make sense,” Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott said in a Memorial Day press conference. “You have a family that’s grieving. We have a community that’s grieving over a 14-year-old who was shot.”

The owner told police he suspected Carmack-Belton of shoplifting inside the store, which the department said did not happen.

The department reviewed surveillance footage as part of this investigation.

“Regardless, even if he had shoplifted four bottles of water, which is what he initially took out of the cooler and then he put them back, even if he’d done that, that’s not something you shoot anybody over, much less a 14-year-old, but you just don’t do that,” Sheriff Lott said.

At one point, there was a verbal confrontation inside the store, but no indication that things turned physical, according to Lott.

Chow, 58, and his son chased Carmack-Belton down the street. The teenager fell but got back up and ran.

Chow’s son told his father that Carmack-Belton was armed.

Deputies recovered a gun believed to belong to the victim near his body, however, the department said there is no evidence that Carmack-Belton pointed it at or threatened Chow.

Lott said that Carmack-Belton was running away when he was shot.

Richland County Coroner Naida Rutherford confirmed that the 14-year-old suffered one gunshot wound to the right lower back.

Linda Suber, who lives nearby, saw Carmack-Belton lying on the ground on Sunday night.

“It’s just sad, it’s sad,” she said. “If y’all would have seen that baby laying right there, that’s all I can say.”

Suber’s son Tavaris Bell was murdered on Broad River Road in 2006.

“Just to see him laying right there, I didn’t get to see my son laying where he got killed, but I saw him in the hospital, it just brought back memories,” Suber said.

One woman who saw the shooting happen and called 911 said she wants justice. She requested anonymity to speak candidly about the shooting and her experiences at the gas station.

“Do you even want to go in the store now? Because anything can happen now these days, and everybody’s getting trigger-happy,” she said. “I just really hope that he gets justice for it because that young man didn’t have to die like that. But for me to witness that yesterday, I’m in fear for my own brother, and for any of the kids that are in my neighborhood because these kids... they come outside all the time. They come to this store all the time. Now it’s like now you have to watch your kids.”

Lott said there have been incidents and confrontations between customers and the owners of this store before, but nothing that would rise to the level of charging Chow in any of those incidents.

Several people described Chow as “nasty” and rude to customers.

Various community organizations and advocates against gun violence gathered around the gas station on Monday.

The store was closed Monday, with a sign on the that read: “We are closed for Memorial Day. Sorry for the inconvenience!”

A cardboard sign had been taped on the door by a protester, which read: “Water or Life? Which Means More?”

Rutherford provided an update to the crowd shortly after 3 p.m. on Memorial Day, and there was loud applause when Chow’s charge was announced.

WIS spoke with one of Carmack-Belton’s brothers Monday. He said his family, especially his mother, is torn up.

Carmack-Belton was a good kid, very smart, and he did not deserve what happened to him, his brother said to WIS.

It is pretty clear than Richland County's Lott holds a great amount of contempt for Chow. Locals who describe Chow as nasty and WIS for actually quoting this statement just adds fuel to the Asian hate. 

But this is a common theme around the nation. African Americans feel Asian store owners take advantage of them and feel justified in shoplifting as a form of vengeance. Asian store owners hate their customers typically showing openly utter contempt for their customers.

CP suspects that Chow had endured enough and perhaps even felt justified. Poor choices made by all parties. But Lott needs to tone down his voter virtue signaling. 

Rowan County Taking Out Charloot's Trash

Charloot is famous for catch and release of dangerous armed felons. But up the road in Rowan County, they don't mess around.

Here's David Whisenant's in depth story. 

ROWAN COUNTY, N.C. (WBTV) - The Rowan Sheriff’s Office has released details on the arrest of a man facing charges for trafficking drugs and stolen guns.

According to the report, on Thursday, May 18, 2023, warrants for arrest were issued for Aaron Dominique Wilks charging him with trafficking in opium/heroin, felony conspiracy, possession with intent to sell/deliver a schedule I controlled substance, and two counts of maintaining a vehicle/dwelling to keep/store a controlled substance.

The charges were the result of an investigation conducted by the Rowan County Sheriff’s Office with the assistance of the Salisbury Police Department, State Bureau of Investigation, and Homeland Security Investigations.

On Tuesday, May 23, 2023, Wilks was located and apprehended at his residence in Charlotte, NC. The arrest was made by the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department Violent Criminal Apprehension Team (VCAT), the N.C. State Bureau of Investigation Criminal Apprehension Team (CAT), and the Rowan County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Apprehension Team (SOCAT). 

Wilks was transported to the Rowan County Magistrate’s Office where he was placed under a $250,000 secured bond which he quickly made.

Following Wilkes arrest, personnel from the Rowan County Sheriff’s Office obtained a search warrant for the Wilks residence. During the crime scene search conducted by the Rowan County Sheriff’s Office Special Investigation Unit and SOCAT, $16,949 in cash, a small amount of marijuana, a loaded handgun magazine, and cellular telephones were seized.

During a court hearing in Rowan County District Court on Wednesday, May 24, 2023, Wilks bond was revoked. He was placed under a $1,000,000 secured bond and is currently being held in the Rowan County Detention Center.

During a related investigation conducted by the Salisbury Police Department on Tuesday, May 23, 2023, a search warrant was executed in a rental unit at Public Storage located at 1730 Jake Alexander Blvd West, Salisbury, NC, and eight firearms were recovered. 

There were four handguns, three rifles, and one shotgun found in the storage unit. The shotgun was reported stolen from a breaking and entering that took place on May 24, 2022, at the Ammo Shack Hunting and Shooting store in Rockingham, NC. One handgun was also reported as stolen from Rowan County on November 26, 2021.

Cedar's take: this is how you do it. Props to CMPD VCAT Unit and all those working this case and not letting go. Now just roll this into Federal Court and we can be done with this guy once and for all. If the Meck DA would work just half this hard we'd live in a far safer city and wouldn't need to wait for Rowan County to come pick up our trash. Wilks has priors for weapons, drugs and robbery.

Stephanie Melgoza Sentenced to 14 years in Double DUI Homicide

If you get 14 years in liberal hell Peoria Illinois can you imagine what the Folly Beach Bride Killer Jamie Lee Komoroski will get?

Police body camera footage shows 24-year-old woman who was sentenced to 14 years in prison earlier this month smiling, laughing, and singing after authorities told her she killed two people in a crash.

Stephanie Melgoza was sentenced to 14 years in prison on May 5, 2023. Authorities said she was under the influence and speeding, with Megloza pleading guilty to two counts of aggravated DUI and two counts of aggravated reckless driving.

The two people -- Paul Prowant, 55, and 43-year-old Andrea Rosewicz -- were trying to cross the street when Melgoza hit them in April 2022.

Melgoza: "You never answered me about my car. I have school tomorrow, so how do I get my car?"

Police: "Well, your car is totaled."

Melgoza: "It's what?"

Police: "Your car is totaled."

Melgoza: "Total, total?"

Police: "Totaled. Wrecked."

Melgoza: "OK, so how do I get it here then?"

Police: "You don't."

Melgoza: "So, I don't go to school tomorrow is what you're telling me?"

Police: "No. ma'am. You want me to be honest with you? You're going to jail. You don't have a bond. You killed two people tonight. I don't think you understand that. You do not have a bond. You are not getting out of jail. 

Your car is property of East Peoria Police Department because it's a crime scene. It killed two people tonight. You are clueless with that. Clearly, I've already explained this to you. You're going to jail for reckless homicide tonight. You're going to jail for aggravated DUI for killing two people. That's what's going on. So, no you're not going to school tomorrow. You're not getting your car out of impound."

Melgoza: "Can I get it Tuesday for my night class?"

Police: "Did you just hear what I just told you?

Melgoza: "You said I'm not going tomorrow. I'm talking about Tuesday."

Police: "Did you hear what I said?"

Melgoza: "You said, 'you're going to jail tomorrow.'"

Police: "You're going to jail right when we're done here. Did you understand what I told you? That you killed two people tonight?"

Melgoza: "Yes. I'm just wondering when I can go to school."

Police: "OK, we're done. You're all on body camera being completely careless about killing two people tonight. You could care less. That's sad and pathetic and horrible all at the same time."

Melgoza: "Can you say that as a cop?"

Police: "Yes, ma'am. I can."

The second video shows her at the scene of the crash, where she tells police officers who responded to the scene a person walked out in front of her car.

Melgoza goes on to say the person "came out of nowhere," adding that she is "a safe driver." She tells police she was driving at least 40 mph after leaving a bar.

"I honestly don't think I was going too fast because I try to be precautionary," she said.

She also admits she had three drinks containing vodka and wasn't too drunk.

Like, right now, if you had me do a test, I think I would pass," she said. "Like, don't test me but I think I would pass."

The officer then gives her sobriety field tests, with Melgoza smiling and giggling.

"It's so hard keeping my head straight," she says with a snicker as the officer checks her eyes.

Melgoza fails the tests and the officers tells her she's under arrested for driving under the influence. She laughs as the officer places her in handcuffs.

She also tells the officer there's no way she hit and killed two people.

I feel like I'd be crying," she says. "I feel like I'd be like, 'Oh, my God. I did this.'"

Since the videos were made public, Melgoza's father has spoken out in his daughter's defense.

At her sentencing, she apologized.

I’m so sorry for everything, and I will never, ever commit anything like that again," she said, according to the Pekin Daily Times. "I have not drank since that day. I do not plan on drinking ever again."

Cedar's Take: I have long practiced what I preach. I don't drink in social settings unless someone else is driving ever. I get a lot of looks when I ask for just tonic and lime only. I get a lot of those oh I didn't know comments.

Commercial Pilot and Boat Captain the rules are pretty strict in most cases zero drinks is the requirement.  Specifically, the Federal Aviation Administration rulebook states that a pilot may not use alcohol within 8 hours of a flight and cannot have a blood alcohol content above 0.04% if the time limit has passed.

US Coast Guard rules are less restrictive but my crews are always on a zero limit while under charter. The job is 6am til Midnight while guests are aboard. So those bookend charters (Guests departing the same day new guests arrive) are a real buzz kill.

The USA is pretty lax when it comes to DUI enforcement where in Australia the BAC is now 0.05 still with the ease of getting an Uber and mass transit why drink and drive ever?

SouthPark Fire So Many Questions

The massive fire that broke out last Thursday morning should be a wake-up call to all of Charlotte.

But the May 18 fire that occured on Liberty Row Drive just off Fairview Road and claimed the lives of two construction workers will likely be dismissed as just an unfortunate accident. 

Yet, Charlotte City leaders hell bent on density saturation for years need to now admit their abject failure didn’t fully understand the ridiculous concept of building apartments on top of apartments. 

There is no reason other the prue greed to continue to develop Charlotte real estate in sure a manner SouthPark is over saturated with rental units. The 6100 Fairview building where Cedar Posts worked for 15 years is currently less than 68% occupied and even so most of those office spaces are void of personal.

Squeezing two apartment buildings between parking decks on a foot print that was originally designed for an office tower is just unimaginable. 

While all responsible may not be directly at fault, everything that could go wrong did so in rapid succession.

And questions are many:

What did Charlotte Fire know about the project?

Were there repetitive reoccurring fire safety inspections? 

Did Charlotte Fire know how to enter the property? Did they have the details about the project, emergency plans and procedures, temporary standpipe locations, and fire truck access?

Is there any truth to the rumor that the two workers who perished where trapped by a dumpster blocking a stairwell exit? 

Did and developer and general contractor keep Charlotte Fire updated about the progress of the construction?

Was there a continual flow of information between Meck County Building Standards inspectors and Charlotte Fire?

Where there adequate safety procedures in place? 

Muster points, job site egress locations, specific hazards, and procedures?

Did the large number of Spanish only speaking labors play a role in the inability to contain the fire and loss of life? 

Did the General Contractor hold fire drills to insure each person knew not only how to exit the project but what to do to ensure the safety of first responders and fellow workers?

If Charlotte City Council is committed on density saturation they need to step up and fund Charlotte Fire to deal with this sort of growth. Double the budget and expand the department's first responder force by 100%. 

Because with this layout and a 2 am fire with 800 units the loss of life would have been cataclysmic. 

They Live Among Us The Question is Why?

More proof the system is broken.

A habitual violent felon on parole for armed robbery and murder is now accused of kidnapping someone after robbing a convenience store, according to the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department.

Police said just after 1 a.m. on April 28, they were called to the 7-Eleven at 4800 North Graham Street near Equipment Drive for an armed robbery. 

Officers said William Morgan, 53, is accused of robbing the store at gunpoint.

Investigators said Morgan allegedly forced a witness out of the store and back into the car she had arrived in. He’s accused of then forcing the driver who was waiting in the car to drive Morgan at gunpoint meet another person. That person also got into the car, police said.

The witness begged the suspect to let her go and he did, investigators said. Then, the suspect forced the driver into the trunk of the car.

Police said the witness contacted CMPD after she was released.

“The suspect jumped in the back seat, pointed the gun at the driver, and said ‘drive.’”

Scharf said the woman was getting a ride from someone who was operating his own driving service at the time. Morgan is accused of forcing the driver at gunpoint to take him to meet his friend Jeremy Nash. Nash also got into the car, police said.''

The woman begged the suspect to let her go and he did, investigators said. Then, the driver was forced into the trunk space of the SUV.

“The suspect told her, ‘You can go but he has to die,’” CMPD said.

Police said the woman called 911 after she was released. Scharf said she was able to give a plate number. Around 3 a.m., the city’s Real Time Crime Center got a hit.

Officers found the car less than 10 miles from where it all began and tried to pull the car over knowing the victim could be inside.

Officers arrested Morgan and Nash and learned they both had extensive criminal histories. 

Once they had Morgan in custody, investigators learned he served time in prison for a murder that happened during an armed robbery.

Morgan is charged with robbery with a dangerous weapon, kidnapping, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Jeremy Nash, 28, is charged with kidnapping.

Wake Up Charlotte, these clowns are everywhere because a liberal run justice system has become useless. 

And if you think Morgan is bad wait til you see the arrest record of Nash.

But even with knowing that both will be back on the streets in a few days Charlotte you'll keep voting for "defund the police" democrats, judges who embrace "soft on crime" policies and "jails are racist" liberals. 

CMPD and Charlotte Fire at Wells Fargo

On Sunday the 2023 Wells Fargo Championship came to a close. The entire week would not be possible without the support of our Officers and Firefighters. 

No. 16 Crosswalk and patrons at Quail Hollow.

But beyond the "unknown medical" response at Hole 17 calls for Charlotte Fire (happy to assist) and a few "NO YOU CAN'T" directional answers (hat tip for the back up) it was a non-event. Let's keep it that way.

However, I need to give some serious props to the dozens of CMPD "boots on the ground" that I interacted with during the week.

Traffic - absolutely awesome job. Both at the clubhouse and Gleneagles and Quail Hollow. I've done traffic and its not something I enjoy but CMPD made it look effortless.  Special mention to Officers working the clubhouse pedestrian crosswalk and the kindness I observed a number of times dealing with slow moving seniors and parents with toddlers. 

Clubhouse Security - smooth and efficient every member I spoke to was impressed. 

Quail Hollow is a "Good Walk Spoiled" and 18 holes as a Marquee Group Escort isn't a walk in the park. Solid effort made in the dual role of both player security and at the same time public relations. Fist bump with a ten year old while staying focused on the mission yeah I noticed.

Bike Patrol - nothing but good things here. Public perception awesome and the under 12 perception SUPER COOL! Special mention to Humphries and Sgt Ward. Bravo Zulu! 

Next Year let's do it again!

CP

Michelle is Leaving North Carolina in 22 Days!

On Sunday Michelle told the Twitter World she was leaving North Carolina in 22 days. 

@Michell33650674:

I'm moving out of North Carolina in 22 days, and going to Illinois.  I WILL miss the weather and beauty here.  I WON'T miss the people.  They're so Bibley that I feel I live amongst robots.  My town is racially segregated.  My Trumper neighbor has tormented me for years.  I'm out

First thing is this nutbird has 25,000 followers. 25,000? Seriously 25,000 people follow her endless non stop hate on Twitter. Amazing.

The comments to her big announcement are just as troubling:

@JustAmyCA (JustAmy):

My family moved us from DC to Charlotte when I was 16. I was in shock/traumatized by the racism and fake hyper-religiosity. Moved to Southern California as soon as I could get away from family responsibilities. Love DC but would never, ever move back to NC.

@_ColoradoStoner:

Let me tell you, I grew up in the south (against my will), and the moment I had the chance to get the hell out of there, I did.

Never looked back, never regretted it either.

Yet the best comment (reply) and a total 180 degree viewpoint comes from non other than Steve Ohnesorge. Yeah that Steve Ohnesorge WBTV's Steve "O".

@WBTVSteveO:

Sorry to hear that. I grew up in Miami, lived in NYC, Chicago, and elsewhere. Family in TX, OK, AZ, MA. No place is perfect but my town in the NC foothills is good. A great mix of people who get along. Hope Illinois works for you. We’ll leave a light on in case it doesn’t.

As I said in my reply to Steve:

 "You're a far better man that I am". 

Steve Ohnesorge is of course the total "southern gentleman" class act and smart enough to know how good life is in the Carolinas.

I'm not sure why Michelle thinks moving to "pale blue" Peoria which is surrounded by solid red rural Illinois, would be better than North Carolina. It's like Asheville without the scenery. Both places are islands of liberalism the only difference between the surrounding rural Illinois and rural NC is the ratio of Tundras to F150s far more Toyota than Ford.

I know a lot about Illinois and a whole lot about Illinois rural life. 

Stray much more than 10 miles in any direction from Peoria and its trucks, beer, guns and farmland. A whole lot of flat farmland and tornados. 

Distant cousins who run big farms as in 2,000 plus acres from towns like Cuba, Canton, and Edwardsville, on down to Marion and Carbondale, to Cairo (Pronounced Kay-Row) and RedBud. 

I also know Michelle won't be happy anywhere.

But the comments, my flag is offensive? Going to church is scary? Republicans are Nazis?

I'm not sure which is more entertaining Michelle or her followers.

More from Michelle:

Why do you think actual NAZIS are Trumpers?  Because that's what Trumpers really are.  These guys are at least HONEST about themselves and their beliefs.  The others pretend they're not as bad because they know it's not socially acceptable.  I guess they want to keep their jobs.

These are the worms that crawl in MAGAT minds:  White is right, dark is wrong;  Men are kings and women and children are chattel;  Rape is natural;  Animals are nothing but food and recreation;  Guns are penis replacements;  Gayness is wrong...except with "the boys" in secrecy.

When you dig deep into the minds of people, you find some really disturbing shit.  I've talked to MAGATS for YEARS, both in person and online.  They are DANGEROUS.  They are filled with INTENSE HATRED.  There's noting RATIONAL about them.  Not ONE of them is a "fine" person.

MAGATS, you really are fucking MONSTERS.  You are the types who would have gassed Jews in Germany.  You are the types who would have murdered millions of native Americans.  You would have HAPPILY taken South American children from their parents as they wailed and screamed.  Sick!

What do you wanna bet that MAGATS think the dude who murdered his neighbors because they asked him to stop shooting his AR-15 was JUSTIFIED in doing so?  This is the kind of people we live amongst.  I've never felt this way about living in America before.  Trump released MONSTERS

So what is your take? Are these people real? Do they really think Peoria Illinois is better than North Carolina? Do they understand that winter starts in October and the wind across the plains doesn't stop until May. That is doesn't get above freezing from December until March and even then there's snow on the ground about 143 days each year?