This browser does not support the Video element.
Amber Alert issued for missing teen after shooting in Marion County
Deputies in Marion County are searching for a 17-year-old boy who is believed to have been the victim of a shooting before disappearing Thursday afternoon. That prompted the Florida Department of Law Enforcement to issue a Florida Amber Alert.
DUNNELLON, Fla. - Update (Sept. 26): On Friday, Sept. 26, the Marion County Sheriff's Office said the missing 17-year-old teenager has been found about 30 minutes from where he was reported missing. There was no evidence that he had been abducted, as initially reported to law enforcement, deputies said. Click here for details.
Original story
Deputies in Marion County are searching for a 17-year-old boy who is believed to have been the victim of a shooting before disappearing Thursday afternoon. That prompted the Florida Department of Law Enforcement to issue a Florida Amber Alert.
What we know:
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) has issued an Amber Alert for 17-year-old Caden Speight of Marion County. Authorities said Speight was last seen along Southwest Highway 484 in Dunnellon.
Deputies responding to reports of gunfire found a truck believed to be connected to the shooting. The vehicle, which they say belonged to Speight, remained at the scene late Thursday evening with its doors open and evidence markers nearby.
Caden Speight
Sheriff’s officials said Speight had not turned up at any local hospitals. He was last seen wearing blue jeans and a T-shirt, though the shirt color is unknown. He is described as six feet tall, about 150 pounds. Investigators believe he may be with four unknown men, possibly Hispanic, in a light-colored van.
CLICK TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX LOCAL APP
Deputies, forensic units and a helicopter equipped with infrared cameras searched the wooded area near the shooting site for hours.
Officials are warning the public not to approach if Speight or the suspects are spotted and instead call law enforcement immediately.
What we don't know:
Authorities have not said how Speight came into contact with the men believed to be with him or whether the teenager left his home voluntarily or was abducted. The direction of travel of the van is also unknown, and investigators have not released details on whether the group may have ties outside Marion County.
The backstory:
Florida’s Amber Alert system is activated when law enforcement believes a child is in danger of abduction or serious harm. Since its launch in 2000, Florida’s program has helped locate dozens of missing children through tips generated by the alerts.
What they're saying:
Authorities said their top priority is to find Speight.
"We're still trying to figure out what happened to Caden, what caused this incident. The very most important thing is to find Caden," said Zach Moore of the Marion County Sheriff’s Office.
What you can do:
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Marion County Sheriff’s Office at 352-732-9111, dial 911, or call FDLE’s Missing Endangered Persons Information Clearinghouse at 1-888-FL-MISSING (1-888-356-4774).
SIGN-UP FOR FOX 35'S BREAKING NEWS, DAILY NEWS NEWSLETTERS
The Source: This story was written based on information shared by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.