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

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

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

Quarius’ father, who was driving the car, was struck in the leg, the discharge 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 homicide, tried homicide and different crimes, the sheriff's workplace said.

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

In a press release, Portsmouth Faculties Superintendent Steve Zadravec stated Quarius — a 3rd grader — was vacationing along with his household in South Carolina at the time of the taking pictures, in line with NBC Boston. 

“An event like this touches our community as a complete,” he stated. “Our hearts are with the family as we support one another by means of this unbelievable tragedy.”

Portsmouth Mayor Deaglan McEachern told the station: "You go on vacation to make reminiscences that final 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 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 information reporter for NBC News Digital.