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 man shooting randomly at passing automobiles struck his family’s vehicle, authorities said Tuesday.

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

Quarius’ father, who was driving the automobile, was struck within the leg, the discharge said. 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 homicide, attempted homicide and different crimes, the sheriff's office said.

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

In a press release, Portsmouth Schools Superintendent Steve Zadravec mentioned Quarius — a third grader — was vacationing along with his household in South Carolina on the time of the taking pictures, based on NBC Boston. 

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

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

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

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