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

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

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

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

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

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

In a press release, Portsmouth Faculties Superintendent Steve Zadravec said Quarius — a third grader — was vacationing along with his family in South Carolina on the time of the taking pictures, in response to NBC Boston. 

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

Portsmouth Mayor Deaglan McEachern advised the station: "You go on vacation to make recollections that final a lifetime with your youngsters, and for this tragedy to befall this family, I was simply sick to my abdomen." 

It wasn't immediately clear whether or not Montgomery, who is 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.