Boy, 8, on vacation in S. Carolina killed by man shooting at random cars, 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 vehicle, authorities said Tuesday.

Quarius Naqua Dunham, a third grader from Portsmouth, New Hampshire, was fatally injured in the shooting Saturday close to Florence, the Florence County Sheriff's Office stated.

Quarius’ father, who was driving the automobile, 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 homicide, attempted murder and different crimes, the sheriff's office mentioned.

“Investigators allege that Allen fired a number of random rounds at passing autos,” the workplace said. No motive has been decided.

In a press release, Portsmouth Colleges Superintendent Steve Zadravec mentioned 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 group as a whole,” he stated. “Our hearts are with the family as we support one another by this unbelievable tragedy.”

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

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

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