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 vehicles struck his household’s vehicle, authorities said Tuesday.

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

Quarius’ father, who was driving the automobile, was struck in the leg, the release mentioned. 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, attempted homicide and different crimes, the sheriff's workplace stated.

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

In a statement, Portsmouth Colleges Superintendent Steve Zadravec mentioned Quarius — a 3rd grader — was vacationing with his family in South Carolina at the time of the shooting, in response to NBC Boston. 

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

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

It wasn't immediately clear whether or not 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 Information Digital.