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

An 8-year-old boy vacationing in South Carolina was fatally shot when a person shooting randomly at passing cars struck his family’s automobile, authorities said Tuesday.

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

Quarius’ father, who was driving the automotive, was struck within the leg, the discharge stated. 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, attempted homicide and other crimes, the sheriff's workplace said.

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

In an announcement, Portsmouth Schools Superintendent Steve Zadravec said Quarius — a third grader — was vacationing together with his family in South Carolina at the time of the shooting, in line with NBC Boston. 

“An occasion like this touches our group as an entire,” he stated. “Our hearts are with the family as we assist one another through this unbelievable tragedy.”

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

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

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