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

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

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

Quarius’ father, who was driving the car, 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 homicide, attempted murder and different crimes, the sheriff's workplace mentioned.

“Investigators allege that Allen fired a number of random rounds at passing vehicles,” the workplace stated. No motive has been decided.

In an announcement, Portsmouth Colleges Superintendent Steve Zadravec said Quarius — a 3rd grader — was vacationing along with his household in South Carolina on the time of the shooting, based on NBC Boston. 

“An occasion like this touches our neighborhood as a whole,” he said. “Our hearts are with the household as we support one another by this unbelievable tragedy.”

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

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

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