Major update after teen sent 'white van' texts to mom before going missing

Caden Speight was seen on CCTV buying a bike just hours before the police report was filed

Police have released a significant update in the case of a 17-year-old who disappeared shortly after texting his mother that he had been 'shot', and mentioned 'four men' and a 'white van'.

Caden Speight went missing on Thursday (September 25) after officers responded to a shooting incident in Dunnellon, Florida. When police arrived, they found his car abandoned on the side of the highway with his cell phone broken in half inside.

The Marion County Sheriff’s Office stated that initial concerns were that Caden had been kidnapped. His mother reported receiving alarming messages that said: "Mom, I’m shot ... 4 men ... white van."

Authorities never verified the texts, but the unsettling details triggered an urgent search. Helicopters and ground teams combed the area while officers issued appeals for information.

Now, just 24 hours later, the Marion County Sheriff's Office confirmed yesterday that the teenager had been located safe.

"Caden has been found safe in Williston. The investigation is ongoing, and more updates will be shared as they become available," the Sheriff's Office posted on its Facebook.

As the investigation progressed on Thursday, detectives learned that the teen had bought a bike and a tent at Walmart just hours before the police report was made.

"During 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 gathered information and evidence that contradict the initially reported facts," it stated on Thursday.

"Currently, there is no evidence suggesting that he was taken by 4 Hispanic men in a light-colored van.

"He might have left the scene on a black bicycle with a red and grey tent, which he bought at the Walmart on SW 19th Avenue Road in Ocala, just before this incident was reported."

Williston, the town where the teenager was found, is about a two-hour bike ride north of Dunnellon, where the shooting allegedly occurred.

Regarding his disappearance, Marion County Sheriff Billy Woods stated: "We approach every 911 call with the determination to ensure justice is served and the truth uncovered."

"However, any law-enforcement officer will tell you that when these calls involve juveniles, they become even more intense. This case is no exception."

"My deputies responded immediately, and I have allocated all available resources to address this incident. Initial information was later found to be inaccurate; nevertheless, we commit fully until the investigation leads us in a different direction."