Boy, 8, on vacation in S. Carolina killed by man taking pictures at random cars, officials say

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

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

Quarius’ father, who was driving the automobile, was struck within the leg, the release mentioned. 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 homicide, tried murder and other crimes, the sheriff's workplace mentioned.

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

In a press release, Portsmouth Schools Superintendent Steve Zadravec said Quarius — a 3rd grader — was vacationing with his household in South Carolina at the time of the capturing, in response to NBC Boston. 

“An occasion like this touches our community as a whole,” he said. “Our hearts are with the household as we help one another through this unbelievable tragedy.”

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

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 Information Digital.