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

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

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

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

“Investigators allege that Allen fired a number of random rounds at passing automobiles,” the office said. No motive has been determined.

In a statement, Portsmouth Colleges Superintendent Steve Zadravec said Quarius — a third grader — was vacationing together with his family in South Carolina on the time of the capturing, according to NBC Boston. 

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

Portsmouth Mayor Deaglan McEachern advised the station: "You go on vacation to make reminiscences that last a lifetime along 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 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.