Florida Teen Fakes Abduction, Shooting, Sparking Massive Search

A 17-year-old Florida teen named Caden Speight was the subject of a large-scale Amber Alert and search after he claimed via text that he had been shot and kidnapped by four Hispanic men. Marion County Sheriff Billy Woods later revealed that Speight fabricated the story, having actually purchased a bicycle, tent, and camping supplies before disappearing. The teen shot himself in the leg with a handgun he had carried, causing a non-life-threatening injury to sustain the hoax, and was found alive and well in Williston. Investigations by local, state, and federal agencies uncovered evidence contradicting Speight's claims, including witnesses disputing his version of events and a single gunshot near his car. The sheriff indicated that charges against Speight and recouping the costs of the extensive search are still under consideration. Speight's parents are reportedly refusing to allow investigators to question him, prolonging the ongoing inquiry.