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

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

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

Quarius’ father, who was driving the automotive, was struck in the leg, the discharge stated. The boy was shot in his neck and pronounced dead at a neighborhood hospital Monday, NBC Boston reported.

Charles Montgomery Allen, 40, was arrested on suspicion of murder, tried murder and other 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 Schools Superintendent Steve Zadravec mentioned Quarius — a third grader — was vacationing along with his household in South Carolina on the time of the capturing, in keeping with NBC Boston. 

“An event like this touches our community as an entire,” he mentioned. “Our hearts are with the household as we support one another by this unbelievable tragedy.”

Portsmouth Mayor Deaglan McEachern advised the station: "You go on vacation 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 instantly clear whether or not Montgomery, who's being held on the Florence County Detention Middle, has a lawyer to speak on his behalf.

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