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

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

Quarius Naqua Dunham, a 3rd grader from Portsmouth, New Hampshire, was fatally injured within the taking pictures Saturday near Florence, the Florence County Sheriff's Office stated.

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

Charles Montgomery Allen, 40, was arrested on suspicion of homicide, attempted murder and other crimes, the sheriff's office said.

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

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

“An occasion like this touches our neighborhood as a complete,” he mentioned. “Our hearts are with the household as we help one another by way of this unbelievable tragedy.”

Portsmouth Mayor Deaglan McEachern informed the station: "You go on trip to make memories that last a lifetime with your children, and for this tragedy to befall this family, I used to be just sick to my abdomen." 

It wasn't immediately clear whether Montgomery, who's being held on the Florence County Detention Middle, has a lawyer to talk on his behalf.

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