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

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

Quarius Naqua Dunham, a third grader from Portsmouth, New Hampshire, was fatally injured in the capturing Saturday close to Florence, the Florence County Sheriff's Office mentioned.

Quarius’ father, who was driving the car, was struck in the leg, the release mentioned. 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 murder and different crimes, the sheriff's workplace mentioned.

“Investigators allege that Allen fired a number of random rounds at passing autos,” the office mentioned. No motive has been decided.

In a press release, Portsmouth Schools Superintendent Steve Zadravec said Quarius — a third grader — was vacationing along with his family in South Carolina at the time of the taking pictures, according to NBC Boston. 

“An event like this touches our neighborhood as an entire,” he stated. “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 final a lifetime together with your kids, and for this tragedy to befall this family, I was simply sick to my abdomen." 

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

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