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 taking pictures randomly at passing vehicles struck his family’s car, authorities said Tuesday.

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

Quarius’ father, who was driving the automotive, was struck within 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 homicide, tried murder and different crimes, the sheriff's workplace mentioned.

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

In an announcement, Portsmouth Faculties Superintendent Steve Zadravec said Quarius — a 3rd grader — was vacationing along with his family in South Carolina on the time of the capturing, in response to NBC Boston. 

“An occasion like this touches our neighborhood as a complete,” he mentioned. “Our hearts are with the household as we assist one another by way of this unbelievable tragedy.”

Portsmouth Mayor Deaglan McEachern instructed the station: "You go on trip to make memories 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 Montgomery, who's being held on the Florence County Detention Center, has a lawyer to speak on his behalf.

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