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

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

Quarius Naqua Dunham, a third grader from Portsmouth, New Hampshire, was fatally injured within the shooting Saturday close to Florence, the Florence County Sheriff's Office mentioned.

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

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

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

In a press release, Portsmouth Faculties Superintendent Steve Zadravec mentioned Quarius — a 3rd grader — was vacationing with his household in South Carolina at the time of the shooting, according to NBC Boston. 

“An occasion like this touches our group as a complete,” he said. “Our hearts are with the family as we assist one another through this unbelievable tragedy.”

Portsmouth Mayor Deaglan McEachern told the station: "You go on trip to make reminiscences that final a lifetime together with your kids, and for this tragedy to befall this household, I used to be simply sick to my abdomen." 

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

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