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

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

Quarius Naqua Dunham, a 3rd 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 car, was struck in the leg, the discharge said. 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 different crimes, the sheriff's workplace said.

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

In a press release, Portsmouth Colleges Superintendent Steve Zadravec stated Quarius — a 3rd grader — was vacationing with his household in South Carolina on the time of the capturing, according to NBC Boston. 

“An occasion like this touches our community as a whole,” he mentioned. “Our hearts are with the family as we support one another by means of this unbelievable tragedy.”

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

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

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