Boy, 8, on trip 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 person capturing randomly at passing cars struck his household’s car, authorities mentioned Tuesday.

Quarius Naqua Dunham, a third grader from Portsmouth, New Hampshire, was fatally injured in the taking pictures Saturday near Florence, the Florence County Sheriff's Workplace said.

Quarius’ father, who was driving the automotive, was struck in the leg, the release stated. 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 murder and different crimes, the sheriff's workplace said.

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

In an announcement, Portsmouth Colleges Superintendent Steve Zadravec mentioned Quarius — a 3rd grader — was vacationing together with his family in South Carolina at the time of the taking pictures, in accordance with NBC Boston. 

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

Portsmouth Mayor Deaglan McEachern advised the station: "You go on trip to make recollections that last a lifetime along with your kids, and for this tragedy to befall this family, I used to be just sick to my abdomen." 

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

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