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 taking pictures randomly at passing automobiles struck his household’s vehicle, authorities said Tuesday.

Quarius Naqua Dunham, a third grader from Portsmouth, New Hampshire, was fatally injured in the taking pictures Saturday close to Florence, the Florence County Sheriff's Workplace stated.

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

“Investigators allege that Allen fired multiple random rounds at passing vehicles,” the office stated. No motive has been determined.

In a statement, Portsmouth Schools Superintendent Steve Zadravec said Quarius — a 3rd grader — was vacationing together with his family in South Carolina on the time of the taking pictures, in line with NBC Boston. 

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

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

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

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