Marion County, FL– Monday, September 29 – Sheriff Billy Woods announced that 17-year-old Caden Speight fabricated claims of being shot and abducted, which prompted an Amber Alert on Thursday. According to the sheriff’s office, investigators found evidence of a single gunshot at the scene where Speight abandoned his truck. However, Speight’s claims were disproven after detectives discovered he had purchased a bicycle, tent, and camping supplies before leaving the area and heading toward Williston, where he was later found.
Sheriff Woods stated that Speight shot himself in the leg with a handgun he possessed, causing a non-life-threatening injury, just before being located by citizens in Williston. Woods emphasized, “There is zero chance that Caden’s gunshot wound came from any type of assailant.”
The sheriff’s office is still processing evidence and has not ruled out potential charges related to the incident or the costs of the large-scale investigation, which involved multiple state and federal agencies. Currently, Speight’s parents are refusing to allow detectives to interview him. The sheriff’s office will provide updates as the investigation continues.
Source: Marion County Sheriff’s Office
