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

An 8-year-old boy vacationing in South Carolina was fatally shot when a man capturing randomly at passing automobiles struck his family’s vehicle, authorities said Tuesday.

Quarius Naqua Dunham, a 3rd grader from Portsmouth, New Hampshire, was fatally injured within the taking pictures Saturday close to Florence, the Florence County Sheriff's Office stated.

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

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

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

In an announcement, Portsmouth Colleges Superintendent Steve Zadravec said Quarius — a third grader — was vacationing along with his family in South Carolina at the time of the capturing, in accordance with NBC Boston. 

“An occasion like this touches our group as a whole,” he mentioned. “Our hearts are with the household as we support one another via this unbelievable tragedy.”

Portsmouth Mayor Deaglan McEachern informed the station: "You go on vacation to make memories that final a lifetime together with your youngsters, and for this tragedy to befall this household, 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 Heart, has a lawyer to speak on his behalf.

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