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

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

Quarius’ father, who was driving the car, 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 office 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 third grader — was vacationing together with his family in South Carolina at the time of the shooting, in keeping with NBC Boston. 

“An occasion like this touches our neighborhood as a complete,” he stated. “Our hearts are with the family as we help each other by way of this unbelievable tragedy.”

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

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

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