Boy, 8, on vacation in S. Carolina killed by man shooting at random vehicles, officials say

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

Quarius Naqua Dunham, a third grader from Portsmouth, New Hampshire, was fatally injured in the capturing Saturday near Florence, the Florence County Sheriff's Office mentioned.

Quarius’ father, who was driving the automotive, was struck in the leg, the discharge stated. 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 automobiles,” the workplace mentioned. No motive has been decided.

In an announcement, Portsmouth Colleges Superintendent Steve Zadravec stated Quarius — a 3rd grader — was vacationing together with his family in South Carolina at the time of the shooting, based on NBC Boston. 

“An event like this touches our neighborhood as an entire,” he mentioned. “Our hearts are with the family as we help one another via this unbelievable tragedy.”

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

It wasn't instantly clear whether or not Montgomery, who's being held at the Florence County Detention Middle, has a lawyer to speak on his behalf.

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