Boy, 8, on trip in S. Carolina killed by man shooting at random cars, officers say

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

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

Quarius’ father, who was driving the automobile, was struck within the leg, the release said. The boy was shot in his neck and pronounced useless 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 office said.

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

In a statement, Portsmouth Colleges Superintendent Steve Zadravec said Quarius — a 3rd grader — was vacationing with his family in South Carolina on the time of the shooting, according to NBC Boston. 

“An occasion like this touches our community as an entire,” he mentioned. “Our hearts are with the family as we help one another via this unbelievable tragedy.”

Portsmouth Mayor Deaglan McEachern told the station: "You go on trip to make memories that final a lifetime together with your children, and for this tragedy to befall this household, I used to be simply sick to my stomach." 

It wasn't instantly clear whether or not Montgomery, who is being held at the Florence County Detention Center, has a lawyer to speak on his behalf.

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