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

An 8-year-old boy vacationing in South Carolina was fatally shot when a man capturing randomly at passing cars struck his family’s vehicle, authorities said Tuesday.

Quarius Naqua Dunham, a 3rd grader from Portsmouth, New Hampshire, was fatally injured in the taking pictures Saturday near Florence, the Florence County Sheriff's Workplace mentioned.

Quarius’ father, who was driving the automotive, was struck within the leg, the release mentioned. 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 homicide, attempted homicide and other crimes, the sheriff's workplace stated.

“Investigators allege that Allen fired multiple random rounds at passing vehicles,” the workplace said. No motive has been determined.

In a press release, Portsmouth Schools Superintendent Steve Zadravec mentioned Quarius — a third grader — was vacationing together with his family in South Carolina at the time of the shooting, in line with NBC Boston. 

“An event like this touches our community as an entire,” he stated. “Our hearts are with the household as we help one another by means of this unbelievable tragedy.”

Portsmouth Mayor Deaglan McEachern instructed the station: "You go on vacation to make memories that final a lifetime along with your children, and for this tragedy to befall this family, I used to be just sick to my abdomen." 

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

Tim Stelloh is a breaking news reporter for NBC News Digital.