Florida teen staged disappearance, shot himself to trigger Amber Alert

Marion County authorities said Monday that a 17-year-old who triggered an Amber Alert last week staged his own disappearance in Dunnellon, Florida, and deliberately wounded himself to support the ruse. Sheriff Billy Woods said the teen, identified as Caden Speight, vanished on Sept. 25 and was located the following day in Williston after a multiagency search that began when family members received texts alleging a shooting and abduction.

The Amber Alert issued Thursday described Speight as last seen in Dunnellon and possibly in the company of four men in a van. Investigators found his abandoned vehicle on SW Highway 484 and evidence of a single gunshot near the scene, prompting searches by local deputies and support from state and federal agencies. Woods told residents in a video message that the account Speight sent to his family was false. "The initial details that Caden texted to his family, were proven to be false. Completely made up," he said.

According to the sheriff's office, detectives determined Speight purchased a bicycle, a tent and camping supplies at a Walmart in Ocala, then rode away from his truck toward Williston. Woods said Speight had a handgun with him from...