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 vehicles struck his household’s vehicle, authorities said Tuesday.

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

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

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

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

In a statement, Portsmouth Faculties Superintendent Steve Zadravec mentioned Quarius — a 3rd grader — was vacationing along with his household in South Carolina on the time of the capturing, in keeping with NBC Boston. 

“An event like this touches our community as an entire,” he mentioned. “Our hearts are with the household as we help each other by way of this unbelievable tragedy.”

Portsmouth Mayor Deaglan McEachern informed the station: "You go on vacation to make memories that final a lifetime along with your kids, and for this tragedy to befall this family, I was simply sick to my stomach." 

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

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