DUNNELLON, Fla. — Authorities have issued an urgent Amber Alert for 17-year-old Caden Speight, who was shot and abducted Thursday afternoon in Dunnellon. Police have identified the suspect as 34-year-old Luis M. Palomar, a man with a prior criminal history, including a 2016 home invasion arrest and multiple felony charges.
The incident unfolded in the 12800 block of SW Highway 484, where investigators say Caden was confronted while driving. Moments later, his mother received a disturbing text message from him that read: “Mom, I need help. Four Hispanics in a white van — one driving. I’m shot.” The message ended abruptly. Shortly after, officers recovered Caden’s cell phone, smashed in half, near the roadside.
Authorities believe Palomar and at least three accomplices forced Caden into a light-colored van before fleeing the area. Multiple law enforcement agencies, including the Marion and Citrus County Sheriff’s Offices, have launched a massive search. Aviation units, K-9 teams, and ground patrols are combing through wooded areas, rivers, and rural terrain.
“This is an urgent and active situation,” said Dunnellon Police Chief [Name]. “We are doing everything in our power to bring Caden home safely. The suspect is considered armed and dangerous, and we are asking the public to stay alert and report any information immediately.”
Suspect’s Criminal Past
Court records show Palomar was arrested in 2016 for a violent home invasion and later faced three other felony charges in separate cases. Investigators point to his history as an “indicator of the danger he poses to the public.”
Community on Edge
The Amber Alert has spread across Florida, with Caden’s photo and details appearing on social media, news outlets, and highway alert boards. Community members in Dunnellon have rallied around the Speight family, sharing flyers and offering prayers.
“He’s just a kid. No family should ever have to go through this,” a neighbor said.
The case has renewed debate about crime prevention and how repeat violent offenders are monitored. For Caden’s loved ones, however, the only focus is on his safe return.
How to Help
Authorities urge anyone who spots Caden Speight, the suspects, or the van to call 911 immediately and not approach them. Tips can also be directed to the Marion County Sheriff’s Office at (352) 732-9111 or the Florida Department of Law Enforcement’s Missing Endangered Persons Information Clearinghouse at 1-888-FL-MISSING (1-888-356-4774).
As the search continues, officials stress that time is critical. The Dunnellon community—and the entire state—remain hopeful that Caden will be found alive and returned to his family.
Leave a Reply