Boy, 8, on trip in S. Carolina killed by man taking pictures at random cars, officials say

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

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

Quarius’ father, who was driving the automobile, was struck in the leg, the discharge said. 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 murder and other crimes, the sheriff's workplace mentioned.

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

In an announcement, Portsmouth Colleges Superintendent Steve Zadravec stated Quarius — a third grader — was vacationing with his family in South Carolina on the time of the capturing, based on NBC Boston. 

“An occasion like this touches our community as a whole,” he stated. “Our hearts are with the family as we help each other by means of this unbelievable tragedy.”

Portsmouth Mayor Deaglan McEachern informed the station: "You go on trip to make memories 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 immediately clear whether or not Montgomery, who is being held at the Florence County Detention Center, has a lawyer to talk on his behalf.

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