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

An 8-year-old boy vacationing in South Carolina was fatally shot when a person shooting randomly at passing automobiles struck his family’s automobile, 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 in the leg, the discharge said. The boy was shot in his neck and pronounced lifeless at an area hospital Monday, NBC Boston reported.

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

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

In a press release, Portsmouth Faculties Superintendent Steve Zadravec said Quarius — a third grader — was vacationing together with his household in South Carolina on the time of the shooting, in line with NBC Boston. 

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

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

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

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