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

An 8-year-old boy vacationing in South Carolina was fatally shot when a man taking pictures randomly at passing automobiles struck his household’s car, authorities said Tuesday.

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

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

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

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

In a press release, Portsmouth Colleges Superintendent Steve Zadravec said Quarius — a third grader — was vacationing along with his household in South Carolina at the time of the shooting, in accordance with NBC Boston. 

“An occasion like this touches our group as an entire,” he mentioned. “Our hearts are with the household as we support each other by way of this unbelievable tragedy.”

Portsmouth Mayor Deaglan McEachern informed the station: "You go on vacation to make memories that final a lifetime along with your kids, and for this tragedy to befall this household, I used to be just sick to my stomach." 

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

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