In what police are calling a "bizarre case," a Cedar City man was arrested early Sunday after he allegedly beat two of his friends severely as they slept.
Zachary King, 23, told police he became angry with the two men, ages 20 and 23, as they hung out together at the 20-year-old's home Saturday night, but it doesn't appear that he had fought with them,said Cedar City police Lt. Darin Adams.
The night seemed to end normally, Adams said, but King went home, selected an unidentified household tool and brought it back the house in the 2400 West block of 400 South. The 23-year-old was spending the night there.
The alleged attacker walked into the bedroom of the 20-year-old man, and hit him repeatedly in the head until he passed out, Adams said. He then walked into the bedroom of the 23-year-old man, and started hitting him in the head. That man was able to reason with King and convince him to stop.
The mother of the 20-year-old woke up and called 911. Police arrived about 1:30 a.m., Adams said. King was arrested and booked into the Iron County jail on suspicion of two counts of attempted aggravated murder and one count of burglary.
The first victim was flown to Intermountain Medical Center in critical condition and the second was taken to Valley View Medical Center, and was in stable condition. Police are investigating why the man became angry, but neither alcohol nor drugs appear to be factors. Adams would not say what weapon was used, citing the ongoing investigation.
