UPDATE: The Marion County Sheriff’s Office announced at 1:45 p.m. on Sept. 26 that 17-year-old Caden Speight has been found safe in Williston.
Earlier, officials said Speight had been shot and taken in a van by four Hispanic men after deputies responded to reports of a shooting on County Road 484 in Dunnellon. An Amber Alert was issued on Sept. 25 because authorities believed Speight was in danger.
Just before noon on Sept. 26, the sheriff’s office clarified that the initial claims were inaccurate.
What Happened to Caden Speight and the Amber Alert?
Sheriff’s officials said deputies were called shortly before 4:15 p.m. on Sept. 25 to the 12800 block of Southwest County Road 484 in Dunnellon regarding a shooting.
When they arrived, deputies found a pickup truck belonging to Speight, but he was not there and could not be located.
Initially, deputies believed the boy had been wounded and may have been taken by four Hispanic men in a van. Later updates clarified that new information and evidence did not support those initial reports.
An MCSO post at 11:52 a.m. said Speight may have left the area on a black bicycle carrying a black and grey tent he bought at an Ocala Walmart shortly before the shooting report.
“My deputies responded immediately, and I have dedicated all of my available resources to respond to this event,” Sheriff Billy Woods said. “Initial information was later determined to be inaccurate; however, we always give everything we have until the investigation takes us in a different direction. I appreciate the many citizens who gave us tips and information to help my detectives. I will continue to have all available resources committed to locating this young man.”
What Is Florida’s Amber Alert?
An Amber Alert is a child abduction emergency alert issued through radio, television, highway signs, lottery machines, missingchildrenalert.com, and other platforms. Law enforcement can request alerts to seek public help across areas wider than the location of the abduction.
AMBER stands for “America’s Missing: Broadcast Emergency Response” and is named after 9-year-old Amber Hagerman, who was abducted and killed in Arlington, Texas, in 1996.
Authorities issue Amber Alerts only when the child is under 18, law enforcement reasonably believes a kidnapping has occurred or the child is in imminent danger of death or serious injury, and detailed descriptions of the child and the abductor or vehicle are available to broadcast.
This article has been carefully fact-checked by our editorial team to ensure accuracy and eliminate any misleading information. We are committed to maintaining the highest standards of integrity in our content.
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