Charles Montgomery Allen, South Carolina man reportedly high on meth has shot an eight-year-old boy, Quarius Naqua Dunham dead.
Gatekeepers News reports that the 40-year-old suspect allegedly shot at three cars at random as they drove by his home on Old River Road near the city of Florence, South Carolina.
According to the Florence County Sheriff’s Department, Allen was arrested at his home in Old River Road after a brief standoff with a SWAT team.
He now faces charges of murder, attempted murder, discharging a firearm into an occupied vehicle, and possession of a weapon during the commission of a violent crime.
He is being held without bond at Florence County Detention Center.
Dunham, who was from Portsmouth, New Hampshire was on a family vacation in South Carolina for the Memorial Day holiday when the unthinkable tragedy took place.
The young victim was struck in the neck. Although he was rushed to the hospital in critical condition, and placed on life support, he succumbed to his injuries and passed away.
Meanwhile, the boy’s father, who was driving the vehicle, was also shot in the leg and is expected to survive. However, the mother who was also in the vehicle was uninjured.
Although the motive was still unclear, Florence County Sheriff TJ Joye called the tragic shooting a ‘senseless act,’ WBTW reported.
“No motive. Just probably methed up,” Joye said. “He’s got a history. He’s incarcerated now without incident.”
On Tuesday, Charity Mills, the victim’s sister posted a heartbreaking message to Facebook with broken-heart emojis.
“Baby boyy. Omggg. It hurts so bad. LORDDD GIVE ME SOME STRENGTH PLS . I loveeee you quarius. I wish you could return home to your game and friends,” she wrote.
In a separate post, Mills shared the unbearable pain she was feeling on the loss of her youngest sibling.
Mills wrote in part, “If I knew what I knew now, that last hug would’ve been a whole lot tighter.
“You fought a good fight baby. You was so innocent baby.. remember the words I said to you .. and always know I love you so much, in my heart you will always have this special place.”
Meanwhile, Portsmouth superintendent of schools Stephen Zadravec has sent out a letter informing parents, students and staff about the tragic news of their third-grade student.
Zadravec said, in part, “His family was on vacation and were victims of a random shooting in South Carolina. An event like this touches our community as a whole.
“Our hearts are with the family as we support each other through this unbelievable tragedy.”
Portsmouth Mayor Deaglan McEachern who described the incident as ‘unimaginable’ said, “Our hearts go out to the family and when they do return to Portsmouth we will show them just how strong of a community they have,” Mceachern said, in part.
Meanwhile, the deputies said investigation is ongoing.
