Charges Upgraded In Old River Road Shooting Following Death Of 8-Year-Old

Charles Montgomery Allen, age 40, of 3106 North Old River Road, Florence, SC was arrested on May 28, 2022 by deputies with the Florence County Sheriff’s Office and has been charged with one count of Murder (S.C. Code Ann. 16-3-10), one count of Attempted Murder (S.C. Code Ann. 16-3-029), Possession of a Weapon During the Commission of a Violent Crime (S.C. Code Ann. 16-23-490) and four counts of Discharging a Firearm Into a Vehicle (While Occupied) (S.C. Code Ann. 16-23-440(B)). See FCSO Booking Website for additional information.

FCSO deputies responded to a call of multiple shots fired into moving vehicles on Saturday, May 28, 2022 at approximately 2:00 PM on Old River Road near Florence, SC. According to deputies, two victims, including an 8 year old child passenger in one of the vehicles, suffered gunshot wounds. The victims were transported to an area hospital for medical treatment. According to Florence County Coroner Keith Von Lutcken, 8 year old Quarius Naqua Dunham of New Hampshire did not survive. An autopsy will be performed at the Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC. The child’s father, the driver of the vehicle was also struck in the leg, but his injuries are not believed to be life threatening.

Shortly after arriving at the scene the FCSO SWAT team located suspect Charles Montgomery Allen and took him into custody following a brief standoff at his residence on Old River Road. Allen has been charged with Murder, Attempted Murder, Discharging a Firearm Into an Occupied Vehicle and Possession of a Weapon During the Commission of a Violent Crime. Investigators allege that Allen fired multiple random rounds at passing vehicles on Old River Road. No motive has been determined for the shooting. Allen is being held at the Florence County Detention Center without bond.

The incident remains under investigation and additional charges are possible.