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

An 8-year-old boy vacationing in South Carolina was fatally shot when a person capturing randomly at passing cars 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 close to Florence, the Florence County Sheriff's Office said.

Quarius’ father, who was driving the automobile, 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, tried murder and different crimes, the sheriff's workplace said.

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

In an announcement, Portsmouth Colleges Superintendent Steve Zadravec mentioned Quarius — a third grader — was vacationing along with his household in South Carolina at the time of the taking pictures, in line with NBC Boston. 

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

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

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

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