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

An 8-year-old boy vacationing in South Carolina was fatally shot when a man shooting randomly at passing cars 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 Office mentioned.

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

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

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

In a statement, Portsmouth Schools Superintendent Steve Zadravec mentioned Quarius — a 3rd grader — was vacationing together with his family in South Carolina at the time of the shooting, in accordance with NBC Boston. 

“An event like this touches our group as a complete,” he said. “Our hearts are with the family as we support one another by means of this unbelievable tragedy.”

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

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

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