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

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

Quarius Naqua Dunham, a 3rd grader from Portsmouth, New Hampshire, was fatally injured within the shooting Saturday close to Florence, the Florence County Sheriff's Office stated.

Quarius’ father, who was driving the car, was struck in the leg, the release said. 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 murder, attempted homicide and other crimes, the sheriff's office said.

“Investigators allege that Allen fired a number of random rounds at passing automobiles,” 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 at the time of the capturing, according to NBC Boston. 

“An occasion like this touches our neighborhood as a whole,” he said. “Our hearts are with the household as we help each other by means of this unbelievable tragedy.”

Portsmouth Mayor Deaglan McEachern told the station: "You go on vacation to make recollections that final a lifetime with your youngsters, and for this tragedy to befall this household, I used to be simply sick to my stomach." 

It wasn't instantly clear whether or not 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.