AMBER ALERT FL - Caden Speight, 17, kidnapped by 4 unknown men in light-colored van, do not approach, last seen 12800 block SW Hwy 484, Dunellon, 25 Sep 2025

[DS2021]

a 17 yo boy having access to guns in rural florida is the least shocking part of this whole situation lol

 

[kuromiiiilove]

a 17 yo boy having access to guns in rural florida is the least shocking part of this whole situation lol

That is a very good point

 

[Little Jack]

I guess its terrible but im glad that whatever his issue is this is what he did rather than shoot up his school.

 

[Inthedetails]

One word came to mind yesterday but I didn't want to post it and risk a TO, but I'll say it now:

Papini.

jmopinion

 

[Valiant]

As European i found this horrific… sorry. Like why would young boy need guns in his life?

And as someone who grew up in rural America, if find this quite normal. When I was in school other kids drove to school in pickup trucks with gun racks (often containing shotguns or rifles) in the back window.

 

[wvmoonangel]

Found Safe.

Marion County teen found safe following Amber Alert

The Marion County Sheriff’s Office says the missing teenager they were looking for has been found safe.

www.wftv.com

 

[TMich6811]

IMO guns for sport isn’t a problem- hunting isn’t a problem - guns in general probably not- normal functioning folks are able to handle these primarily without issue and safely.

Unfortunately we are humans so this isn’t reality. Humans experience trauma, pain, fear, sadness, depression, rage and we don’t really have appropriate ways to support humans through those things so as a result we get really unfortunate situations related to guns.

Until we care enough to fix humans we have to care a lot less about sport and hunting with guns etc

Just my 2 cents and all that jazz

 

[Serononin]

As a Brit I don't find this "horrific". It has traditionally been quite normal for the children of landowning and farming families here to be introduced to the safe handling and use of air rifles at a fairly young age and graduate to shotguns in their teens. All under close supervision, of course.

Fellow Brit here - IIRC the youngest current holder of a shotgun certificate here is 8, so I definitely think a 17-year-old can handle a gun responsibly (maybe not the 17-year-old this thread is about though lol)

 

[Leilei]

I'm looking at her FB and the only pictures I see of him with a gun are hunting photos and all of them show adults also. Looks like waterfowl hunting, which I would imagine is big in Florida. I think it's good to put those photos in context. This is a very normal thing for dads and children to do together. There are even youth hunts in many locations.

I see a lot of him playing sports, family vacations, birthdays and normal family things. Looks like he has 3 younger brothers and big sister.

I don't believe that I put the pics out of context. I simply answered a question and didn't offer anything further, aside from my usual "IMO".
I live in the rural south and am very familiar with families teaching their kids how to shoot guns, bows, fish, etc...
Thanks and IMO.

 

[Eli9]

I'm wondering at the age of 17 what type of penalties he will face. It reminds me a bit of Carlee Russell but she was older.

 

[Dreamcherry]

Lol. I love it when cases are teed up for me. This was just a ridiculous scenario.

Right?! Obvious rage bait is obvious. The white van, 4 Hispanics and MAGA hat sure had that FB comment section foaming at the mouth though.

 

[Leilei]

I'm wondering at the age of 17 what type of penalties he will face. It reminds me a bit of Carlee Russell but she was older.

It depends on the charges, but yes, a 17 year old can be charged as an adult in Florida.
Depends on several circumstances, though, that I'm not sure apply here.

Statutes & Constitution :View Statutes : Online Sunshine

 

[NervousNellie]

Right?! Obvious rage bait is obvious. The white van, 4 Hispanics and MAGA hat sure had that FB comment section foaming at the mouth though.

How does a hat come into it? Was that part of the story? Or just discussed as a potential reason for the abduction? (Assuming he was known to wear a red hat?)

I wonder what the end goal was with this ruse.

 

[Mauig’ma]

Right?! Obvious rage bait is obvious. The white van, 4 Hispanics and MAGA hat sure had that FB comment section foaming at the mouth though.

Link for MAGA hat please tyia

 

[tara83]

Link for MAGA hat please tyia

It was a rumor someone in the comment section on the police facebook brought up. Not sure if it is still there or was removed.

 

[tlcya]

so hoax? Makes sense, sure sounded off when details first came out.

 

[Unalienable Rights]

IMO Maga hat was a rumor. He was wearing a black & white hat that can be seen in the Walmart pictures that were taken right before the incident (copied from post #105.....Marion County Sheriff's FB post.)

 

[DS2021]

Link for MAGA hat please tyia

UPDATE: Amber Alert Issued for 17-Year-Old From Dunnellon - 352today

Authorities have issued an Amber Alert for 17-year-old Caden Speight of Dunnellon, whose disappearance is tied to a shooting in Marion County.

352today.com

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.

I believe they must've misspoke tho

 

[tlcya]

has his being found safe been reported to mods yet?

 

[tarabull]

Amber alert update in Florida. 17-year-old boy found safe. What we know

The Marion County Sheriff's Office reported that Caden Speight, who went missing Sept. 25, has been located.

www.usatoday.com