USA: Man intentionally struck 2 women and 3 kids with car

The car struck the five, hit the restaurant, then backed up and hit them again Tuesday, police said. All five were hospitalized, and a 2-year-old was critically injured.

Photo: USA: Man intentionally struck 2 women and 3 kids with car

Lanny Barnes, 46, appeared before Chief Magistrate Judge Henry Baker on Wednesday. Barnes faces five felony charges of aggravated assault and was ordered held without bail pending a mental health evaluation.

Barnes' mother, Mary Barnes, said her son has suffered depression for years.

There was no apparent connection between the victims and Barnes, and authorities have no motive, Cotton said.

Cotton said he would not comment on eyewitness reports that Barnes was smiling and laughing in the car after hitting the victims.

The police chief praised McDonald's employees and customers who tried to apprehend Barnes and assist the victims, the AP reports.

One employee took one of the injured children to a nearby hospital, "possibly saving that child's life," Cotton said.

The conditions of Anita King, 36, and her sister, Stephanie Casola, 33, were unclear Wednesday