Motive still unclear in Boone County hatchet attack

Boone County authorities are still trying to determine what prompted a man’s attack with a hatchet at Ledges State Park on Friday. 36-year old Larry Scott of Corning is charged with attempted murder for allegedly attacking Mary Eischeid of Ames as she sat reading a book along the Des Moines River. Boone County Sheriff Ron Fehr says it’s a tough case to sort out, as Eischeid didn’t know Scott prior to the attack.Eischeid managed to wrestle the hatchet from Scott and drove herself to the hospital. She suffered a skull fracture, but has since been released from the hospital. Sheriff Fehr says Scott isn’t talking. Fehr says right now they’re working on putting together the evidence against Scott.Scott, who works in a factory, was arrested Friday as he returned home from work.