Boy, 8, on trip in S. Carolina killed by man taking pictures at random automobiles, officers say

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

Quarius Naqua Dunham, a third grader from Portsmouth, New Hampshire, was fatally injured within the shooting Saturday near Florence, the Florence County Sheriff's Workplace said.

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

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

“Investigators allege that Allen fired multiple random rounds at passing vehicles,” the office mentioned. No motive has been decided.

In a press release, Portsmouth Colleges Superintendent Steve Zadravec mentioned Quarius — a third grader — was vacationing along with his household in South Carolina at the time of the capturing, in line with NBC Boston. 

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

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

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

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