Boy, 8, on vacation in S. Carolina killed by man taking pictures at random automobiles, officers say

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

Quarius Naqua Dunham, a 3rd 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 automotive, was struck within the leg, the discharge 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 murder, tried homicide and other crimes, the sheriff's office stated.

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

In a statement, Portsmouth Faculties Superintendent Steve Zadravec mentioned Quarius — a third grader — was vacationing together with his family in South Carolina at the time of the taking pictures, according to NBC Boston. 

“An event like this touches our community as an entire,” he said. “Our hearts are with the household as we help each other through this unbelievable tragedy.”

Portsmouth Mayor Deaglan McEachern told the station: "You go on vacation to make memories that final a lifetime together with your kids, and for this tragedy to befall this family, 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 information reporter for NBC Information Digital.