Payson man attacks adult with sledgehammer, then hits, injures children at daycare

(KUTV) — (UPDATE: 8/15/20) -- A 17-year-old male is facing an attempted aggravated murder charge, as well as several other charges after police say he attacked a man with a sledgehammer before punching several children at a Payson, Utah daycare Friday.

According to the Payson City Police Department, the teen turned himself in at 4 a.m. Saturday. Police are not releasing the suspect's name because he is a minor.

Original story below unedited for context.

(KUTV) -- A man who attacked one person with a sledgehammer, and then another adult and children with his fists, is at large in Payson, Utah. Police in the city request residents shelter-in-place, but the order was lifted on Friday afternoon.

Police said the man was attacking a person in the area of 600 East, 500 North in Payson. A woman walked out of her home, which is also a daycare, and witnessed the person being struck in the head and body with a sledgehammer. The woman called out to stop the attack. The person with the sledgehammer then turned his attention to the woman and walked in her home daycare.

"The suspect proceeded to strike the children and another adult with his fists then fled the area," according to police spokeswoman Neomi Sandoval.

Six to seven children were transported to the hospital by ambulance after the suspect reportedly entered the daycare and attacked them.

"Because the suspects are still outstanding and because the assaults were so aggravated, we are asking people to shelter in place," Sandoval said. She said there could have been a car that helped the man leave the area but police have no information about that.

The man who was struck with the sledgehammer was taken by air for medical treatment, but his condition is unknown. The children are receiving medical treatment for "various injuries." Parents have been notified.

Police said the man is an adult with long black hair that was in a bun. He was wearing a black shirt and black shorts.

Sandoval said several police agencies in Utah County are helping to find the attacker, including a police helicopter. She said the public may be the greatest help.

Police are asking anyone who sees suspicious activity in the area to contact authorities. Investigators are also asking for anyone in the neighborhood to review their surveillance footage. If you see anything that may be useful to law enforcement in this investigation, police are asking that you turn it into them.

2News will update this story as more information becomes available.