Daniel Ray Myers
Salem Police Department

Staff at a Keizer Walgreens called 911 on the night of 10 February after a woman walked through the doors bleeding from multiple stab wounds. She had just talked the man who attacked her into letting her out of his car. By the time police arrived, he was gone.

Salem police identified the suspect as Daniel Ray Myers, 62, a DoorDash delivery driver who had been working alongside the victim that evening. Authorities waited two days before releasing his photograph on 12 February, describing him as armed and dangerous. Officers said there is probable cause for his arrest.

The two had been sitting in Myers' vehicle, placing food delivery orders at around 9 p.m., when he drove to a secluded spot in West Salem, a residential neighbourhood across the Willamette River from downtown, local press reported. He made unwanted advances on the woman, then attempted to assault her sexually. She fought back. He stabbed her multiple times.

Police said Myers then refused to let her leave the car. He drove for miles around Salem with the injured woman still trapped inside the vehicle, according to the department's account. She eventually persuaded him to stop at the Walgreens in Keizer, a city just north of Salem, by telling him she needed first aid supplies.

It worked.

'For this particular situation here, I think she did everything right,' Salem Police Sergeant Jonathan Hardy told reporters.

Victim Taken to Salem Hospital After DoorDash Stabbing

Store staff contacted emergency services the moment the woman came through the door. Paramedics rushed her to Salem Hospital for treatment of her injuries. Her condition has not been released. Police have withheld her identity, and Salem Reporter does not typically name victims of sexual assault.

Myers had already fled the car park by the time officers reached the store. His current whereabouts are unknown. The Salem Police Department's Violent Crimes Unit is now leading an active manhunt and has asked the public for help tracking him down.

He is described as a white man, 5ft 10in tall, approximately 230 pounds, with blue eyes, grey or bald hair, glasses, and a large grey moustache. Detectives say he was last seen driving a silver Honda Civic with Oregon licence plate 241NGP, according to KPTV. Police believe he has access to firearms and are urging anyone who spots the vehicle not to approach but to call 911 immediately.

Salem Police Expect Attempted Murder Charges Against Myers

If located, Myers faces charges of second-degree attempted murder and multiple other felony offences, police said. The case has been filed under reference number SMP26012142.

The attack has rattled people in the area.

'It's scary because you never truly know anybody,' Salem resident Melanie Palmer told KOIN. 'You only know what people want you to know about them.'

Police have not said what relationship the two had outside of their DoorDash work, or how they came to be making deliveries from the same car that night. The woman told investigators she had been working with Myers when he drove them away from the delivery area. DoorDash has not publicly commented on the incident.

The Walgreens where the victim sought help sits roughly four miles north of the Center Street Bridge, which connects to West Salem and the area where the attack took place. Police said the investigation is ongoing.

Anyone with information about Myers or his whereabouts should contact the Salem Police tip line at 503-588-8477.

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