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

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

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

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

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

In a press release, Portsmouth Colleges Superintendent Steve Zadravec stated Quarius — a third grader — was vacationing along with his family in South Carolina on the time of the taking pictures, in accordance with NBC Boston. 

“An event like this touches our neighborhood as an entire,” he mentioned. “Our hearts are with the household as we support each other through this unbelievable tragedy.”

Portsmouth Mayor Deaglan McEachern advised the station: "You go on vacation to make reminiscences that final a lifetime together with your children, and for this tragedy to befall this household, I used to be 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.