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

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

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

Quarius’ father, who was driving the automotive, was struck within the leg, the discharge stated. The boy was shot in his neck and pronounced lifeless at a neighborhood hospital Monday, NBC Boston reported.

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

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

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, according to NBC Boston. 

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

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

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

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