A South Carolina man has pleaded guilty to murder after fatally shooting an 8-year-old boy who was traveling with his family, bringing an end to a case that shocked two communities and drew national attention.
Charles Montgomery Allen entered a guilty plea to one count of murder and five counts of attempted murder in a Florence County courtroom. A judge subsequently sentenced him to life in prison, along with 30 years for each of the attempted murder charges.
The charges stem from a May 28, 2022 shooting on Old River Road in Florence County. Authorities said Allen began randomly firing a rifle and shotgun at passing vehicles near his home.
One of the bullets struck 8-year-old Quarius Naqua Dunham, who was riding in a car with his family while visiting relatives in South Carolina. The child was hit in the neck and later died after being taken off life support.
Dunham’s father was also shot during the incident but survived. Investigators said Allen fired at multiple vehicles along the rural roadway, putting several drivers in danger.
Law enforcement officials described the shooting as a senseless act of violence, noting there appeared to be no clear motive for the attack. Allen was eventually located and taken into custody by deputies following the shooting.
Quarius Dunham was a third-grade student from Portsmouth, New Hampshire, and had been visiting South Carolina with family when the tragedy occurred. His death prompted an outpouring of grief from both his hometown community and residents in South Carolina.
With Allen’s guilty plea and sentencing, prosecutors say the case has reached a legal conclusion, though the loss of the young boy continues to leave a lasting impact on his family and the communities that mourned him.
