Boy, 8, on vacation 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 man capturing randomly at passing cars struck his household’s automobile, authorities said Tuesday.

Quarius Naqua Dunham, a third grader from Portsmouth, New Hampshire, was fatally injured within the taking pictures Saturday near Florence, the Florence County Sheriff's Workplace mentioned.

Quarius’ father, who was driving the automotive, was struck in the leg, the release mentioned. 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 homicide, tried murder and different crimes, the sheriff's workplace said.

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

In a statement, Portsmouth Schools Superintendent Steve Zadravec said Quarius — a third grader — was vacationing along with his family in South Carolina at the time of the shooting, in line with NBC Boston. 

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

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

It wasn't instantly clear whether Montgomery, who is 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.