Boy, 8, on vacation in S. Carolina killed by man taking pictures at random cars, officers say

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

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

Quarius’ father, who was driving the car, was struck within the leg, the release said. The boy was shot in his neck and pronounced useless at an area hospital Monday, NBC Boston reported.

Charles Montgomery Allen, 40, was arrested on suspicion of murder, tried murder and different crimes, the sheriff's workplace said.

“Investigators allege that Allen fired a number of random rounds at passing automobiles,” the workplace stated. No motive has been determined.

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

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

Portsmouth Mayor Deaglan McEachern advised the station: "You go on trip to make recollections that last a lifetime together with your kids, and for this tragedy to befall this family, I used to be just 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 speak on his behalf.

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