Boy, 8, on trip 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 man capturing randomly at passing vehicles struck his family’s automobile, authorities mentioned 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 automotive, was struck within the leg, the release said. The boy was shot in his neck and pronounced dead at an area hospital Monday, NBC Boston reported.

Charles Montgomery Allen, 40, was arrested on suspicion of homicide, attempted homicide and other crimes, the sheriff's workplace mentioned.

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

In an announcement, Portsmouth Schools Superintendent Steve Zadravec said Quarius — a third grader — was vacationing with his family in South Carolina on the time of the shooting, in response to NBC Boston. 

“An occasion like this touches our group as a whole,” he stated. “Our hearts are with the household as we support each other by means of this unbelievable tragedy.”

Portsmouth Mayor Deaglan McEachern informed the station: "You go on trip to make recollections that last a lifetime with your youngsters, and for this tragedy to befall this family, I used to be just sick to my abdomen." 

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

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