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

An 8-year-old boy vacationing in South Carolina was fatally shot when a person taking pictures randomly at passing cars struck his family’s car, authorities stated 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 Office mentioned.

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

Charles Montgomery Allen, 40, was arrested on suspicion of murder, attempted homicide and different crimes, the sheriff's office mentioned.

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

In an announcement, Portsmouth Faculties Superintendent Steve Zadravec mentioned Quarius — a third grader — was vacationing together with his household in South Carolina at the time of the shooting, in response to NBC Boston. 

“An event like this touches our group as a whole,” he mentioned. “Our hearts are with the family as we support each other by means of this unbelievable tragedy.”

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

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 Information Digital.