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Marion County grand jury indicted Woodburn man for murder, clears officers for shooting at him

Marion County Sheriff’s Office (Rachel Alexander/Salem Reporter)

A Marion County grand jury on Thursday indicted Kenneth William Peden III on charges of killing a teen and found two Silverton police officers and a Marion County sheriff’s deputy were justified in shooting at him following an alleged kidnapping and ensuing police chase on May 12.

Peden, 20, was arraigned Friday morning on charges of first-degree murder, first-degree kidnapping, second-degree attempted murder, first-degree assault, fleeing or attempting to elude police and four counts of first-degree attempted murder. He will be held without bail, according to court records.

On May 12 at 4:45 p.m. Gervais police responded to a home on Depot. Ct. for a reported gunshot wound and kidnapping. Police found 22-year-old Arik Reed, of Gervais, with a gunshot wound to his abdomen, Amy Queen, Marion County deputy district attorney, said in a news release.

Officers determined that Peden had kidnapped 17-year-old Molly “Ollie” Taylor. Police and the district attorney’s office haven’t identified Taylor’s gender, but a GoFundMe post indicates they were transgender.

Peden left in a Ford F-150 and area law enforcement found the truck and followed him into Silverton.

While in pursuit, Peden fired multiple rounds at police, Queen said in the release.

He came to a stop on Highway 214 near Forest Ridge Road N.E. where a shootout ensued.

Queen said none of the officer’s bullets hit Peden or Taylor. No police were shot or injured.

Peden eventually surrendered and was arrested. Taylor was found in the passenger seat with a gunshot wound and later died at Doernbecher Children’s Hospital, police said.

-Saphara Harrell