August 22, 2020 9:00 a.m.

A Roseburg based United Parcel Service truck driver has been charged with attempted murder and other counts, as an investigation continues regarding a series of shooting incidents.

Wednesday night, an OSP report said a female motorist driving northbound about a mile north of Central Point, was shot. She was treated and released at an area hospital. Starting May 12th, there have been six previous occasions where vehicles were shot at, though no was else has been hit. Those shootings took place in Douglas, Josephine and Jackson counties.

Information released Friday by OSP said troopers have been diligently investigating the shootings and recently believed that a UPS truck could be involved. Immediately after Wednesday night’s shooting, troopers were able to locate a UPS tractor trailer combination about 60 miles north of where the shooting incident took place. Through a subsequent investigation, the truck was seized and a search warrant was applied for and served. The report said a search of the truck revealed a firearm consistent with the type that had been used in the shooting.

UPS arranged for another truck to pick up the trailers, while the investigation was taking place.

49-year old Kenneth Ayers was arrested and taken to the Jackson County Jail. District Attorney’s offices in all three counties are working with OSP on the case. The report said starting in May, around the time the shooting incidents began to occur, Ayers had switched from a route north of Roseburg, to one that took him south.

A statement from UPS said, “We are deeply concerned about these allegations and are fully cooperating with the responding authorities. Firearms are prohibited at UPS facilities and in our vehicles”.

Ayers is being held on 29 charges. In addition to attempted murder, charges include second-degree assault, along with multiple counts of reckless endangering, criminal mischief in the second degree, and unlawful use of a weapon. Bail has increased to $1 million.