Boy, 8, on vacation in S. Carolina killed by man shooting at random vehicles, officers say

An 8-year-old boy vacationing in South Carolina was fatally shot when a man taking pictures randomly at passing vehicles struck his household’s automobile, authorities mentioned Tuesday.

Quarius Naqua Dunham, a third grader from Portsmouth, New Hampshire, was fatally injured in the capturing Saturday near Florence, the Florence County Sheriff's Office mentioned.

Quarius’ father, who was driving the car, was struck within the leg, the release stated. The boy was shot in his neck and pronounced dead at an area hospital Monday, NBC Boston reported.

Charles Montgomery Allen, 40, was arrested on suspicion of murder, attempted homicide and other crimes, the sheriff's workplace mentioned.

“Investigators allege that Allen fired a number of random rounds at passing vehicles,” the office mentioned. No motive has been determined.

In a press release, Portsmouth Colleges Superintendent Steve Zadravec stated Quarius — a 3rd grader — was vacationing with his family in South Carolina on the time of the capturing, in keeping with NBC Boston. 

“An event like this touches our group as a whole,” he mentioned. “Our hearts are with the household as we assist one another by this unbelievable tragedy.”

Portsmouth Mayor Deaglan McEachern advised the station: "You go on vacation to make recollections that last a lifetime together with your kids, and for this tragedy to befall this family, I was just sick to my abdomen." 

It wasn't immediately clear whether Montgomery, who's being held on the Florence County Detention Heart, has a lawyer to speak on his behalf.

Tim Stelloh is a breaking information reporter for NBC Information Digital.