Overview
- Ayers allegedly set his apartment in the Cherrywood Apartments on fire shortly before noon Thursday, and firefighters put out the blaze before it spread to other units.
- Minutes later he is accused of setting his car ablaze outside Oaks Integrated Care in Winslow Township, entering the facility with a gasoline can and dousing the lobby but failing to ignite it.
- Officials say Ayers threatened several coworkers and temporarily locked one employee in an office while numerous staff and patients were inside, though no injuries were reported at either scene.
- Police arrested Ayers at the care center; the Camden County Prosecutor's Office charged him with attempted murder, aggravated arson, terroristic threats and related offenses and he is being held pending a detention hearing.
- Investigators cite security-camera footage and on-scene evidence as the basis for charges and have asked the public to provide tips while the active probe continues, raising questions about staff security at mental health facilities.