PORTSMOUTH, N.H. (WHDH) - A South Carolina man accused of fatally shooting a New Hampshire third-grader who was on vacation with his family over the weekend, has been ordered held without bail.
Officers in Florence, South Carolina responded to the scene on Old River Road Saturday afternoon after receiving reports that a man had fired multiple gunshots into passing cars, according to a release issued by the Florence County Sheriff’s Office.
Upon their arrival, officers found 8-year-old Quarius Naqua Dunham and his father suffering from gunshot wounds and they were transported to an area hospital where Quarius was pronounced dead.
The child’s father, who was struck in the leg, is expected to survive.
Not long after investigators arrived, 40-year-old Charles Montgomery Allen was identified as a suspect and he was taken into custody following a brief standoff at his home nearby, according to police.
Allen is facing one count of murder, one count of attempted murder, four counts of discharging a firearm into an occupied vehicle and possession of a weapon during violent crime charges.
“No motive. Just probably methed up. He’s got a history,” Florence County Sheriff T.J. Joye said in a statement to South Carolina television outlets. “He’s incarcerated now without incident. Just a senseless, senseless act.”
Quarius was a student at The Little Harbour School in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. School officials informed families of the tragic event on Monday.
“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,” said Portsmouth Superintendent Steve Zadravec in a written statement to school system families.
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