MARION COUNTY, FL (352today.com) – An Amber Alert was issued Thursday evening for Caden Speight, a 17-year-old boy reported missing in Marion County. Authorities said his disappearance is tied to a shooting in Dunnellon.
UPDATE: Sept. 26, 2025, 1:45 p.m. Speight has been located in Williston and is healthy.
UPDATE: Sept 26, 2025, 11:54 a.m., Marion County Sheriff’s Office detectives, Aviation Unit, Field Force Unit, and Mounted Unit, are continuing to search for Caden Rex Speight, who remains missing and is believed to be endangered. Through the initial investigation of the shooting reported in the 12800 block of SW Highway 484, around 4:10 p.m. yesterday, and Caden’s disappearance, detectives obtained information and collected evidence that are unsupportive of the initially reported facts.
Primarily, at this time, there is no evidence to indicate that he was taken by 4 Hispanic men in a light-colored van. It is possible that he left the incident location on a black bicycle with a red and grey tent, which he purchased at Walmart on SW 19th Avenue Road, in Ocala.
Since Caden is still a missing endangered juvenile, MSCO is asking anyone who may have seen a male matching his description with a dark-colored mountain bike and a tent to call 911.
“We respond to every 911 call with a determination to ensure justice is served and the truth revealed. But any law-enforcement officer will tell you that when these calls involve juveniles, it takes on an even greater intensity. This case is no different,” said Sheriff Billy Woods. “My deputies responded immediately, and I have dedicated all of my available resources to respond to this event. Initial information was later determined to be inaccurate; however, we always give everything we have until the investigation takes us into a different direction. I appreciate the many citizens who gave us tips and information to help my detectives. Understand, I will continue to have all of my available resources committed to locating this young man.”
Speight was last seen near the 12800 block of Southwest Highway 484 in Dunnellon. At the time of his disappearance, he was wearing an unspecified colored T-shirt and blue jeans. He is described as 6 feet tall and 150 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes.
Investigators say he may be traveling with four unknown males, possibly Hispanic, in a light-colored van. Local reporting adds he may have been wearing a red “Make America Great Again” hat at the time of disappearance.
Sheriff’s deputies say the disappearance is connected to a shooting Thursday afternoon. They found Speight’s vehicle on SW Highway 484 with evidence of gunfire and are asking anyone with information about what happened in the area that afternoon to contact authorities.
Authorities are urging anyone who sees him not to approach, but to immediately contact law enforcement.