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

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

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

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

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

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

In a press release, Portsmouth Faculties Superintendent Steve Zadravec said Quarius — a 3rd grader — was vacationing along with his family in South Carolina at the time of the shooting, based on NBC Boston. 

“An event like this touches our community as a whole,” he said. “Our hearts are with the household as we assist each other through this unbelievable tragedy.”

Portsmouth Mayor Deaglan McEachern informed the station: "You go on trip to make memories that final a lifetime along with your youngsters, and for this tragedy to befall this household, I was just sick to my abdomen." 

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.