Boy, 8, on vacation in S. Carolina killed by man capturing at random automobiles, officers say

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

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

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

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

In an announcement, Portsmouth Colleges Superintendent Steve Zadravec said Quarius — a 3rd grader — was vacationing together with his family in South Carolina on the time of the taking pictures, in line with NBC Boston. 

“An event like this touches our community as a whole,” he mentioned. “Our hearts are with the family as we help each other through this unbelievable tragedy.”

Portsmouth Mayor Deaglan McEachern told the station: "You go on trip to make memories that last a lifetime with your youngsters, and for this tragedy to befall this household, I was just sick to my abdomen." 

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

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