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

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

Quarius Naqua Dunham, a 3rd grader from Portsmouth, New Hampshire, was fatally injured within the shooting Saturday near Florence, the Florence County Sheriff's Workplace stated.

Quarius’ father, who was driving the automotive, was struck in 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 murder, tried homicide and other crimes, the sheriff's office stated.

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

In a statement, Portsmouth Schools Superintendent Steve Zadravec said Quarius — a 3rd grader — was vacationing with his family in South Carolina on the time of the taking pictures, in line with NBC Boston. 

“An occasion like this touches our community as a whole,” he mentioned. “Our hearts are with the family as we support each other by this unbelievable tragedy.”

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

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

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