Authorities have provided a significant update regarding the disappearance of a 17-year-old who went missing after sending his mother a text stating he had been “shot” and mentioning “four men” and a “white van.”
Caden Speight went missing on Thursday (September 25) after police responded to reports of a shooting in Dunnellon, Florida. Upon arrival, officers found his car abandoned by the highway, with his cell phone broken in half inside.
The Marion County Sheriff’s Office initially feared that Caden had been kidnapped. His mother reported receiving alarming messages that read: “Mom, I’m shot … 4 men … white van.”
Though officials did not confirm the texts, the concerning details led to an urgent search. Helicopters and ground teams combed the area, while officers sought public assistance for any sightings.
In just 24 hours, the Marion County Sheriff’s Office announced that the teenager had been located safely.
“Caden has been located safe in Williston. This investigation is still on-going. More updates will be provided as they become available,” the Sheriff’s Office shared on its Facebook page.
During their investigation on Thursday, detectives learned that the teenager had purchased a bike and a tent from a Walmart just hours before the police report was filed.
“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,” the statement read.
“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, just prior to this incident being reported.”
The town where Caden was found, Williston, is approximately a two-hour bike ride north of Dunnellon, the location of the alleged shooting.
Discussing his disappearance, Marion County Sheriff Billy Woods stated: “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.
“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.”