Boy, 8, on trip 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 man shooting randomly at passing cars struck his household’s vehicle, authorities stated Tuesday.

Quarius Naqua Dunham, a third grader from Portsmouth, New Hampshire, was fatally injured in the shooting Saturday near Florence, the Florence County Sheriff's Office said.

Quarius’ father, who was driving the automotive, was struck within the leg, the discharge stated. The boy was shot in his neck and pronounced lifeless at an area hospital Monday, NBC Boston reported.

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

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

In a statement, Portsmouth Colleges Superintendent Steve Zadravec stated Quarius — a 3rd grader — was vacationing with his household in South Carolina at the time of the capturing, in line with NBC Boston. 

“An occasion like this touches our neighborhood as a complete,” he said. “Our hearts are with the household as we assist each other via this unbelievable tragedy.”

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

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

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