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

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

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

Quarius’ father, who was driving the car, was struck within the leg, the discharge mentioned. 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 homicide and different crimes, the sheriff's workplace said.

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

In a press release, Portsmouth Schools Superintendent Steve Zadravec stated Quarius — a 3rd grader — was vacationing together with his family in South Carolina on the time of the taking pictures, in response to NBC Boston. 

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

Portsmouth Mayor Deaglan McEachern told the station: "You go on vacation to make recollections that last a lifetime with your children, and for this tragedy to befall this household, I was simply sick to my stomach." 

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

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