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

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

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

Quarius’ father, who was driving the automobile, was struck in the leg, the discharge stated. 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 murder, attempted murder and other crimes, the sheriff's office mentioned.

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

In an announcement, Portsmouth Schools Superintendent Steve Zadravec mentioned Quarius — a third grader — was vacationing together with his household in South Carolina on the time of the taking pictures, according to NBC Boston. 

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

Portsmouth Mayor Deaglan McEachern informed the station: "You go on trip to make memories that final a lifetime along with your kids, and for this tragedy to befall this family, I used to be simply sick to my stomach." 

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

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