A South Carolina man has been sentenced to life in prison for murdering an 8-year-old boy during a random shooting at passing cars. Charles Montgomery Allen pleaded guilty to murder and attempted murder charges related to the 2022 incident in Florence County. The boy, Quarius Dunham, was vacationing with his family from New Hampshire when he was fatally shot.
On May 28, 2022, along Long Old River Road in Florence County, South Carolina—about 90 miles east of Columbia—Charles Montgomery Allen, then 40, fired a rifle and shotgun at vehicles driving by his home without any apparent motive. Among the targets was a car carrying 8-year-old Quarius Dunham, who was visiting from Portsmouth, New Hampshire, with his family. The boy was struck in the neck and rushed to a hospital, where he was later taken off life support.
A woman in the same vehicle was also shot but survived her injuries. Allen targeted two additional cars, including one driven by Quarius's father, who was wounded but lived. Florence County Sheriff TJ Joye described the episode as senseless, stating at the time, "No motive. Just probably methed up. He's got a history." He added, "It's sad. It's heartbreaking. We've got an 8-year-old shot for no reason. No reason."
Allen was arrested by a SWAT team upon returning home, where authorities found a large cache of weapons. Initially facing charges including possession of a weapon during a violent crime and discharging a firearm into a vehicle, those were dropped. On Thursday, prior to March 7, 2026, Allen pleaded guilty in Florence County court to one count of murder and five counts of attempted murder. General Sessions Court Judge Steven DeBerry IV imposed a life sentence for the murder and 30 years for each attempted murder conviction.
Quarius was a third-grade student at Little Harbour School. Portsmouth Superintendent of Schools Steve Zadravec expressed condolences, saying, "It is with the heaviest of hearts that I share the sad news that one of our third grade students at LHS was killed this weekend... Our hearts are with the family as we support each other through this unbelievable tragedy."
During the sentencing, Allen's attorney noted that his client had accepted responsibility and showed remorse upon learning of the boy's death. Allen himself apologized, and a relative addressed the family, offering, "The only thing I can offer are my prayers."
