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 taking pictures randomly at passing vehicles struck his family’s car, authorities said Tuesday.

Quarius Naqua Dunham, a third grader from Portsmouth, New Hampshire, was fatally injured within the taking pictures Saturday close to Florence, the Florence County Sheriff's Office mentioned.

Quarius’ father, who was driving the automobile, was struck in the leg, the release said. The boy was shot in his neck and pronounced useless at a neighborhood hospital Monday, NBC Boston reported.

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

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

In a statement, Portsmouth Faculties Superintendent Steve Zadravec stated Quarius — a 3rd grader — was vacationing with his household in South Carolina at the time of the capturing, based on NBC Boston. 

“An occasion like this touches our community as a whole,” he said. “Our hearts are with the household as we assist one another by way of this unbelievable tragedy.”

Portsmouth Mayor Deaglan McEachern told the station: "You go on trip to make recollections that last a lifetime together with your children, and for this tragedy to befall this household, I used to be just sick to my abdomen." 

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

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