A UPS employee suspected in an outburst of gunfire that began in May on Interstate 5 in Oregon was arrested Thursday, authorities said.
Kenneth Ayers, 49, was arrested in connection with a highway shooting on Wednesday, Oregon State Police said. He faces many charges, including attempted murder, second-degree assault, and multiple counts each of reckless intimidation, criminal abuse and unlawful use of a weapon.
Prosecutors believe Kenneth Ayers, 49, is responsible for a shooting at Interstate 5 in Oregon.
(Oregon State Police)
Authorities believe Ayers was responsible for shooting more than a dozen cars on the busy highway in Douglas, Josephine and Jackson counties. During Wednesday’s incident in Jackson County, a female motorist was shot as she traveled north on the interval that ran through California, Oregon and Washington.
Their injuries were not specified. A truck and trailers belonging to UPS were located 60 miles north of where the shooting took place, authorities said.
“UPS arranged for another truck to pick up the trailers – and a search was requested and served,” a police statement said. “By searching the truck, a firearm was discovered that is consistent with the type used.”
Before May, the Ayers route was north of Rosenburg, police said. In early May, his route took him south of the city, police said. Douglas, Josephine and Jackson counties are all located south of Rosenburg.
Ayers also used routes 140 and 62, police said. Authorities said UPS is cooperating with the investigation.
In a statement to Fox News, the package company said it was “deeply concerned about these allegations.”
“Firearms are prohibited at UPS facilities and in our vehicles,” UPS said. “Any further information on this case would come from the investigating authorities.”
Authorities are investigating whether a UPS tractor trailer was used in a shooting incident on Interstate 5 in Oregon.
(Oregon State Police)
Authorities said several other incidents believed to involve Ayers were being investigated, including shootings on May 12, June 2, June 15, June 22, July 7 and July 9.
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Ayers is being held in the Jackson County Jail on $ 347,500 bond. No information about his next right appearance was available.
