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Teenager who was allegedly kidnapped in Gervais died Wednesday, police said

A teenager who was allegedly kidnapped last week died at Doernbecher Children’s Hospital Wednesday, Oregon State Police said.

Police haven’t said what injuries led to their death or if they were shot during a gun battle between police and the suspect, 20-year-old Kenneth Williams Peden III, of Woodburn on May 12.

Peden is facing charges of four counts of first-degree attempted murder, as well as second-degree attempted murder, first-degree kidnapping, two counts of first-degree assault and fleeing or attempting to elude police. He will be arraigned Thursday.

The police chase started with the report of a disturbance in the 1000 block of Depot Ct. in Gervais on May 12, police said.

Gervais police found 22-year-old Arik Reed, of Gervais, with a gunshot wound around 4:45 p.m. that day. Police said they were able to determine that Peden had kidnapped a 17-year-old and left in a Ford F-150. 

A Marion County Sheriff’s Deputy located the pickup.

Police said Peden fled from law enforcement when they attempted to stop his vehicle in Silverton. The pursuit continued to Highway 214 at about milepost 37, where a shootout ensued.

Multiple police vehicles were hit with bullets, but no officers were injured, police said.

The teenager was transported to the hospital by Life Flight with life-threatening injuries. Police haven’t released their name because they were a minor. 

-Saphara Harrell

Correction: This article previously misstated the teenager’s gender based on information from police.