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

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

Quarius Naqua Dunham, a third 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 car, was struck in the leg, the release stated. The boy was shot in his neck and pronounced dead at a local 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 a number of random rounds at passing automobiles,” the workplace said. No motive has been determined.

In an announcement, Portsmouth Schools Superintendent Steve Zadravec mentioned Quarius — a 3rd grader — was vacationing along with his household in South Carolina at the time of the shooting, in response to NBC Boston. 

“An event like this touches our community as an entire,” he mentioned. “Our hearts are with the family as we support one another via this unbelievable tragedy.”

Portsmouth Mayor Deaglan McEachern advised the station: "You go on trip to make memories that final a lifetime along with your kids, and for this tragedy to befall this household, I used to be simply sick to my abdomen." 

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

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