PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — A Roseburg man faces 29 separate charges connected with a series of random shootings along I-5, including one on Wednesday.
Kenneth Ayers was arrested Thursday by the Oregon State Police hours after a motorist was shot near milepost 37 in Jackson County. She was taken to a hospital where she was treated and released.
At a Friday afternoon press conference, authorities revealed Ayers is a UPS driver who is now tied to 7 different shootings in Douglas, Josephine and Jackson counties: May 12, June 2, June 15, June 22, July 7, July 9 and August 19.
Right after the shooting on Wednesday, OSP trooper found a UPS tractor trailer about 60 miles north of the shooting scene. The truck was seized and a search warrant served, during which a gun “consistent with the type used” was found.
The investigation is active and ongoing. Authorities said UPS has fully cooperated.
Ayers route for UPS was north of Roseburg before May and south of Roseburg after that. He also traveled along Hwy 140 and 162, officials said.
There may be more charges coming as district attorneys from Douglas, Josephine and Jackson counties work together. Their finding will be presented to a Jackson County grand jury.
Ayers, 49, is currently charged with single counts of attempted murder and assault, plus 7 counts each of criminal mischief and unlawful use of a weapon and 13 counts of reckless endangerment.
