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

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

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

Quarius’ father, who was driving the automobile, was struck in 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, tried murder and other crimes, the sheriff's office said.

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

In an announcement, Portsmouth Colleges Superintendent Steve Zadravec said Quarius — a 3rd grader — was vacationing along with his household in South Carolina on the time of the shooting, in keeping with NBC Boston. 

“An occasion like this touches our group as a complete,” he mentioned. “Our hearts are with the family as we support each other via this unbelievable tragedy.”

Portsmouth Mayor Deaglan McEachern instructed 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 was just sick to my abdomen." 

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

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