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

An 8-year-old boy vacationing in South Carolina was fatally shot when a person capturing randomly at passing cars struck his household’s car, 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 Office said.

Quarius’ father, who was driving the automotive, was struck in the leg, the release said. The boy was shot in his neck and pronounced lifeless at a local hospital Monday, NBC Boston reported.

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

“Investigators allege that Allen fired multiple random rounds at passing autos,” the workplace mentioned. No motive has been determined.

In an announcement, Portsmouth Schools Superintendent Steve Zadravec said Quarius — a 3rd grader — was vacationing with his family in South Carolina at the time of the shooting, in accordance with NBC Boston. 

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

Portsmouth Mayor Deaglan McEachern informed the station: "You go on vacation to make reminiscences that last 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 or not Montgomery, who's being held on the Florence County Detention Middle, has a lawyer to speak on his behalf.

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