FL - Caden Speight, 17, was found safe (after falsely reporting kidnapping)

[Quill]

Thinking about how you could even do that without a tool of some sort, that’s alot of time and effort at a shooting/abduction crime scene?

With the right rock and the right boot, a couple of good hard stomps might do it.

 

[Quill]

This one is super strange. This is something you’d expect in Mexico or something (I follow a lot of cartel stuff), but not something that happens with any regularity here.

Not saying he’s involved in drugs or anything, just the MO.

Considering he’s wounded and the lengths they went to abduct him, I really don’t see a happy ending here.

Think about this. What if he hadn't been able to make that phone call? Would be adding this to the pile of "young man goes missing while car is found abandoned/wrecked"? Just some food for thought. This reported scenario is one that, if I'm honest, I have held out as a possibility in a few unsolved "missing driver" cases.

 

[justtrish]

Sure wish he remembered that if he called 911, help would arrive even faster. I guess he was in a panic and thought texting his mom would be better. Wonder where the abductors were while he texted.

I'm trying to figure out the logisitics of how the crime went down and it's not easy. Why would they open fire on him in the first place?

The only scenario that comes to mind is road rage, but then why kidnap? Yet, clearly the teen is not at the crime scene.


jmopinion

I am wondering if he thought his mom could get help faster? Maybe if she was home, she could get people to the location AND call police. Maybe he didn't realize 911 could find you based on gps? If he thought his mom would know exactyl where he was, maybe he felt she could get help quickly. Also, some locations are far away from help and LE can take a long time to arrive just due to where they are located. If this is near their farm, is it near a city or is it a good ways out of town?

I am thinking road rage OR personal beef with the family. Maybe due to the farm, possible workers or past workers?

Gang initiation?

Possible abduction for ransom, but instead he was shot and now they don't know what to do?

 

[mpnola]

If he was doing talk to text while he was driving, it could have escalated as he was talking. That's nearly what it sounds like, since I'm shot is last. Maybe he sent it and was then attempting to call 911. I'm so worried for this kid. He looks like such a gentle little soul. How scary for him and his family.

 

[Sam121396]

I don’t know if this was mentioned yet, but he could have communicated through his Apple Watch/Samsung watch, in the event he had one?

Just an idea.

 

[dotr]

Sep 26, 2025
Caden Speight is said to be last seen in the company of four unknown males.

 

[Inthedetails]

I am wondering if he thought his mom could get help faster? Maybe if she was home, she could get people to the location AND call police. Maybe he didn't realize 911 could find you based on gps? If he thought his mom would know exactyl where he was, maybe he felt she could get help quickly. Also, some locations are far away from help and LE can take a long time to arrive just due to where they are located. If this is near their farm, is it near a city or is it a good ways out of town?

I am thinking road rage OR personal beef with the family. Maybe due to the farm, possible workers or past workers?

Gang initiation?

Possible abduction for ransom, but instead he was shot and now they don't know what to do?

I still can't figure out the logistics. Was HE shot or was the vehicle shot? Was he driving along and someone in the van shot his truck, and that gave him time to text his mom?

Why did he stop driving? Was a tire shot out or was he injured?

How did he know four men were in the van?

Where was he driving from? Is that a regular routine for him to be on that road?

From what I can figure out, he or the truck is shot, he stops driving, he texts his mom, the guys pull him out of the vehicle, someone wrecks his phone yet leaves it there, and they put him in the van?

He obviously wasn't found at the truck so he left somehow, and the assumption is the men in the van took him - that's the most I can figure out.

jmopinion

 

[GraceG]

I just got time to read this one today. I have some serious doubts as to the shooting/kidnapping, though it is certainly possible.

Again, just based on what I have read so far from msm, I might have missed a key point or article.
(1) The only report of the "shooting" was from the missing boy.
(2) The only report of the kidnappers/shooters description was from the missing boy.
(3) No eye witnesses.
(4) The truck was NOT "all shot up." The only statement was the truck was sitting later with "evidence markers around it". If that car had been full of bullet holes, forensic ballistic specialists would have been actively working it unless the county was so small they had to call in a team for that (possible). They do more than take photographs and put out evidence markers. If there are bullet holes in the vehicle they'll use measurements as well as sometimes 3D laser scans of the vehicle and surrounding area, to help determine whether the vehicle or shooter was moving, if more than one firearm was used, AND, if shot from other than a vehicle, the shooters position or height.
(5) No mention of blood or any definitive evidence of injury.

Certainly, this could simply be poor or incomplete reporting (not that THAT ever happens ) but the scenario as reported, just raises my "red flags" as to the possibility of a hoax, unless the famiy has had threatening events going on that have not been disclosed to the public.

 

[Inthedetails]

If he was doing talk to text while he was driving, it could have escalated as he was talking. That's nearly what it sounds like, since I'm shot is last. Maybe he sent it and was then attempting to call 911. I'm so worried for this kid. He looks like such a gentle little soul. How scary for him and his family.

Voice to text isn't something I considered. Perhaps that is what he did. That would be faster than texting, I assume?

jmo

 

[adot0902]

I was thinking about this case as I was driving to work, and I can text someone so many different ways, I'm probably forgetting some but here we go:

#1: regular text message from my phone by typing
#2: regular text message from my phone by asking siri from my phone
#3: regular text message from my phone sent by my car pushing "assistant button" and her typing and sending it hands free for me
#4: regular text message from my phone sent by my cars entertainment system, I type and send from "Car Play"
#5: I send it from my watch by typing
#6: I send it from my watch by asking siri to send it

Very rarely do I actually have my phone physically in my hands when I send a text.

 

[Tutter]

I just got time to read this one today. I have some serious doubts as to the shooting/kidnapping, though it is certainly possible.

Again, just based on what I have read so far from msm, I might have missed a key point or article.
(1) The only report of the "shooting" was from the missing boy.
(2) The only report of the kidnappers/shooters description was from the missing boy.
(3) No eye witnesses.
(4) The truck was NOT "all shot up." The only statement was the truck was sitting later with "evidence markers around it". If that car had been full of bullet holes, forensic ballistic specialists would have been actively working it unless the county was so small they had to call in a team for that (possible). They do more than take photographs and put out evidence markers. If there are bullet holes in the vehicle they'll use measurements as well as sometimes 3D laser scans of the vehicle and surrounding area, to help determine whether the vehicle or shooter was moving, if more than one firearm was used, AND, if shot from other than a vehicle, the shooters position or height.
(5) No mention of blood or any definitive evidence of injury.

Certainly, this could simply be poor or incomplete reporting (not that THAT ever happens ) but the scenario as reported, just raises my "red flags" as to the possibility of a hoax, unless the famiy has had threatening events going on that have not been disclosed to the public.

Missing 17-year-old from Marion County found safe; no abduction occurred

Officials say initial claims about a Caden being shot and abducted were unfounded.

www.wcjb.com

““Once deputies arrived, they located a bullet hole in the vehicle, which was our indication that this was a vehicle involved in the shooting that was reported,” said Zach Moore, a sheriff’s office spokesperson.”

 

[diggndeeperstill]

I don’t get motive at all.

1. If retaliatory, why take him? Wouldn’t they be the first obvious suspects?
2. If Caden sent the text, wow fast, and how did that happen if phone was later found at scene. If abductors sent text, why? I get people are saying to mislead, but why send a text at all?
3. Can anyone confirm hearing gunshot nearby?
4. Has anyone heard if dogs were brought out or if blood was found?

If this is a true story, this is a huge incident.

I hope we get more info soon.

 

[Inthedetails]

I just got time to read this one today. I have some serious doubts as to the shooting/kidnapping, though it is certainly possible.

Again, just based on what I have read so far from msm, I might have missed a key point or article.
(1) The only report of the "shooting" was from the missing boy.
(2) The only report of the kidnappers/shooters description was from the missing boy.
(3) No eye witnesses.
(4) The truck was NOT "all shot up." The only statement was the truck was sitting later with "evidence markers around it". If that car had been full of bullet holes, forensic ballistic specialists would have been actively working it unless the county was so small they had to call in a team for that (possible). They do more than take photographs and put out evidence markers. If there are bullet holes in the vehicle they'll use measurements as well as sometimes 3D laser scans of the vehicle and surrounding area, to help determine whether the vehicle or shooter was moving, if more than one firearm was used, AND, if shot from other than a vehicle, the shooters position or height.
(5) No mention of blood or any definitive evidence of injury.

Certainly, this could simply be poor or incomplete reporting (not that THAT ever happens ) but the scenario as reported, just raises my "red flags" as to the possibility of a hoax, unless the famiy has had threatening events going on that have not been disclosed to the public.

I'm with you. I admit my doubts could very well be misplaced and I take the situation seriously. I also know LE know what they are doing better than I do so I will await answers to the many questions.

Whatever the situation, I hope for a "found safe" resolution.

jmopinion

 

[Warwick7]

Florida Amber Alert: 17-year-old found safe in Marion County

A Florida AMBER Alert has been issued for Caden Speight, 17, of Dunnellon.

www.wcjb.com

A Florida AMBER Alert has been issued for Caden Speight, 17, of Dunnellon. Sheriff’s deputies confirm his disappearance is connected to a shooting that happened Thursday afternoon.

Officials say Caden may be in the company of four unknown males, possibly Hispanic. They may be traveling in a light-colored van.

At the top it says kidnapped but the last two articles says "in the company."
Those are 2 totally different situations.

 

[diggndeeperstill]

I just found his TikTok. Reviewing. Shows his snap handle too.

TikTok - Make Your Day

 

[Inthedetails]

I was thinking about this case as I was driving to work, and I can text someone so many different ways, I'm probably forgetting some but here we go:

#1: regular text message from my phone by typing
#2: regular text message from my phone by asking siri from my phone
#3: regular text message from my phone sent by my car pushing "assistant button" and her typing and sending it hands free for me
#4: regular text message from my phone sent by my cars entertainment system, I type and send from "Car Play"
#5: I send it from my watch by typing
#6: I send it from my watch by asking siri to send it

Very rarely do I actually have my phone physically in my hands when I send a text.

So if he didn't have the phone in his hands while sending the text, did one of the abductors reach in the car to grab it and then break it? Or maybe CS grabbed it while they pulled him from the car? Did the men grab anything else from the car, to steal?

I am playing out the details that we know (or guess), and I'm stuck on how the movements happened.

jmopinion

 

[Unalienable Rights]

Also from the article in post #74

Family members and friends have shared some details about the missing teenager with TV20 and on social media.

His family owned Simple Life Farms, a U-pick blueberry farm in the Dunnellon area. We’re working to confirm whether the truck Caden was driving was connected to the farm.

Caden was also apparently involved in the rodeo circuit. SouthEast Little Britches Rodeo Association, a youth rodeo association for kids ages 5 - 18, posted a prayer for Caden and his family.

Missing 17-year-old from Marion County found safe; no abduction occurred

Officials say initial claims about a Caden being shot and abducted were unfounded.

www.wcjb.com

 

[Inthedetails]

Caden was also apparently involved in the rodeo circuit. SouthEast Little Britches Rodeo Association, a youth rodeo association for kids ages 5 - 18, posted a prayer for Caden and his family.

He's listed on a rodeo site, ranked 37:

Junior Ironman - current season Qualifiers and Points

www.nlbra.com

 

[diggndeeperstill]

From this video last night you can see the truck and evidence markers with something on the ground, imho possibly the phone.

Is this a welding truck? The truck definitely has some value.

 

[Warwick7]

In Caden's text to his mom he mentions "one driver". What does that mean? Maybe he was just scared but I'm not sure why he would take the time to say that?

Thanks for the link!

A UPS driver reported making a delivery at 11795 SW Highway 484 around 1 p.m. During his stop, he observed four Hispanic men working on a roofing job at the property, along with a white van present at the scene.

According to him, the men were on a lunch break at the time and responded to his greeting with aggressive remarks in Spanish while giving him hostile looks. He stated he did not think much of the interaction until learning about the ongoing investigation.