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

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

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

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

Charles Montgomery Allen, 40, was arrested on suspicion of murder, tried murder and other crimes, the sheriff's office said.

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

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

“An occasion like this touches our neighborhood as an entire,” he said. “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 recollections that final a lifetime along with your children, and for this tragedy to befall this family, I was 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 news reporter for NBC News Digital.