Boy, 8, on trip 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 person capturing randomly at passing cars struck his family’s vehicle, 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 said.

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

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

“Investigators allege that Allen fired a number of random rounds at passing vehicles,” the office stated. No motive has been determined.

In an announcement, Portsmouth Colleges Superintendent Steve Zadravec said Quarius — a third grader — was vacationing with his household in South Carolina at the time of the shooting, according to NBC Boston. 

“An event like this touches our group as a whole,” he mentioned. “Our hearts are with the family as we support one another via this unbelievable tragedy.”

Portsmouth Mayor Deaglan McEachern told the station: "You go on trip to make memories that last a lifetime with your youngsters, and for this tragedy to befall this family, I was simply sick to my abdomen." 

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

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