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

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

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

Quarius’ father, who was driving the automobile, was struck in the leg, the release mentioned. 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 homicide, tried murder and different crimes, the sheriff's office mentioned.

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

In an announcement, Portsmouth Schools Superintendent Steve Zadravec mentioned Quarius — a third grader — was vacationing along with his household in South Carolina at the time of the capturing, in line with NBC Boston. 

“An event like this touches our neighborhood as an entire,” he said. “Our hearts are with the family as we support each other by means of this unbelievable tragedy.”

Portsmouth Mayor Deaglan McEachern instructed the station: "You go on trip to make memories that final a lifetime together with your children, and for this tragedy to befall this household, I used to be just sick to my stomach." 

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

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