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 man capturing randomly at passing automobiles struck his family’s car, authorities said Tuesday.

Quarius Naqua Dunham, a 3rd grader from Portsmouth, New Hampshire, was fatally injured within the capturing Saturday close to Florence, the Florence County Sheriff's Workplace stated.

Quarius’ father, who was driving the automotive, was struck within the leg, the discharge stated. 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 murder, tried homicide and other crimes, the sheriff's workplace said.

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

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

“An occasion like this touches our community as an entire,” he mentioned. “Our hearts are with the family as we support one another by this unbelievable tragedy.”

Portsmouth Mayor Deaglan McEachern told the station: "You go on vacation to make reminiscences that last a lifetime together with your youngsters, and for this tragedy to befall this family, I used to be just sick to my stomach." 

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

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