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

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

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

Quarius’ father, who was driving the car, was struck within the leg, the discharge stated. 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 murder, tried homicide and other crimes, the sheriff's office mentioned.

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

In a press release, Portsmouth Schools Superintendent Steve Zadravec mentioned Quarius — a 3rd grader — was vacationing together with his family in South Carolina on the time of the shooting, according to NBC Boston. 

“An occasion like this touches our group as a whole,” he mentioned. “Our hearts are with the household as we support each other by means of this unbelievable tragedy.”

Portsmouth Mayor Deaglan McEachern informed the station: "You go on trip to make recollections that last a lifetime together with your youngsters, and for this tragedy to befall this family, I used to be simply sick to my stomach." 

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

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