MARION COUNTY, Fla. – After a 17-year-old boy was reported missing last week, the Marion County Sheriff’s Office has provided more information on the incident, calling it a “ruse.”
In a release on Monday, Sheriff Billy Woods took to social media, discussing the details of the case.
Originally, an Amber Alert was issued, stating that 17-year-old Caden Speight had disappeared in Dunnellon, possibly with four Hispanic men and traveling in a van.
Detectives explained that there had been evidence of a shooting and that an abandoned vehicle belonging to the teen was found. They also said that Speight had told a family member that he’d possibly been abducted by four men in a van, and his phone was found at the scene of his disappearance.
But less than a day later, the sheriff’s office revealed that these initial claims had been “unfounded.”
“The initial details that Caden texted to his family were proven to be false. Completely made up,” Woods said on Monday. “We did find evidence of a single gunshot where Caden left his truck. However, his claims that he had been shot and abducted were quickly disproven.”
According to the sheriff’s office, Caden had stopped at a couple of stores prior to the incident, including a Walmart where he purchased a bicycle, tent and sleeping bag.
“There was an alarming amount of red flags initially, but we also have to fully investigate until we know otherwise. We also had witnesses that contradicted the initial information,” Woods continued. “Caden simply rode away toward Willison while the rest of us were left to think the worst.”
In addition, Woods announced that Speight had a handgun with him since “the beginning of all this” and chose to shoot himself in the leg.
Then, Speight walked out to a roadway in Williston, where he was ultimately discovered by residents there, Woods added.
[BELOW: Marion County investigators provide updates on Amber Alert]
“Many of you have asked, ‘Will Caden be facing any charges?’ ‘What about the taxpayer cost of this large-scale investigation and search?’” Woods stated. “I can tell you those items are not off the table at this point.”
The sheriff’s office said that investigators are still processing all of the evidence in this case.
However, Speight’s parents have refused to let detectives speak with him, Woods claimed.
“Again, thank you, citizens, for your tips and information that you sent in, and when we do have any updated information on this case, we will provide you with that,” Woods finished.