DUNNELLON, Fla. – Authorities have issued a Florida AMBER Alert for 17-year-old Caden Speight, who vanished Thursday afternoon after being shot and abducted by multiple suspects in Dunnellon.
Caden’s final text message to his mother, Annie Speight, was both chilling and urgent: “Mom, I need help. Four Hispanics in a white van — one driver. I’m shot.” Moments later, deputies say his phone was found broken in half near the 12800 block of SW Highway 484, east of Dunnellon.
Since then, Caden has not been seen or heard from. Officials stress this is not a case of a runaway, but an active abduction investigation involving multiple agencies.
Details of the Case:
- Last Seen: September 25, 2025, around 4:00 p.m.
- Last Location: 12800 block of SW Highway 484, east of Dunnellon
- Clothing: T-shirt and blue jeans
- Suspects: Four unidentified Hispanic males in a light-colored van
- Final Text: “I need help. Four Hispanics in a white van — one driver. I’m shot.”
The Marion County Sheriff’s Office confirmed Caden was last seen driving his work truck before he was shot and forcibly taken. Investigators recovered his damaged phone and other evidence at the scene.
A large-scale search effort is now underway. Aerial sweeps are being conducted by both Marion and Citrus County Sheriff’s Office aviation units, covering a 30-mile radius with grid-search patterns. On the ground, K-9 teams are combing through wooded areas, rivers, and ditches.
Authorities are urging the public to remain alert and immediately report any sightings.
Public Warning: If you see Caden Speight, the suspects, or the light-colored van involved, DO NOT APPROACH. Call 911 immediately.
Contact Information:
- Marion County Sheriff’s Office: (352) 732-9111
- Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE): 1-888-FL-MISSING (1-888-356-4774)
Officials stress this is a critical stage of the investigation and that public assistance is vital in bringing Caden home safely.
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