Boy, 8, on vacation 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 vehicles struck his household’s automobile, authorities mentioned Tuesday.

Quarius Naqua Dunham, a third 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 car, was struck in the leg, the release 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 murder, tried murder and other crimes, the sheriff's workplace mentioned.

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

In a statement, Portsmouth Faculties Superintendent Steve Zadravec said Quarius — a 3rd grader — was vacationing with his household in South Carolina at the time of the taking pictures, in accordance with NBC Boston. 

“An occasion like this touches our community as a complete,” he mentioned. “Our hearts are with the household as we help each other by this unbelievable tragedy.”

Portsmouth Mayor Deaglan McEachern instructed the station: "You go on trip to make reminiscences that final a lifetime with your kids, and for this tragedy to befall this family, I was just sick to my stomach." 

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

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