DUNNELLON, Fla. (WFLA) — Florida lawmakers say a 17-year-old who orchestrated a kidnapping of his own, triggering a statewide Amber Alert, has been arrested.
On September 25, 2025, the Marion County Sheriff’s Office responded to a suspected shooting scene after a boy texted a family member to say he had been shot. Officers found the teen’s truck with bullet holes and blood stains on the windshield.
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“Crime scene technicians found bullet holes and blood on the windshield of the vehicle. [the teen’s] The cell phone was severely damaged and there were drag marks in the dirt, as well as tracks from a bicycle leaving the truck,” the Marion County Sheriff’s Office said.
It was eventually determined that the boy had intentionally shot himself, firing the gun into the windshield, splattering blood on the truck and then destroying his cellphone, deputies said.
According to the sheriff’s office, the boy left the scene on a bicycle loaded with camping supplies he had bought from Walmart. Witnesses also reported seeing the boy leave the scene on a bicycle.
He was later found in Williston with a gun and bicycle in his possession.
“He sustained a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the leg as he attempted to continue his ruse, shattering his femur and requiring medical treatment,” the sheriff’s office said.
Detectives said they later learned he had previously talked about running away from home. A search of the boy’s laptop also revealed that he had been searching for information on how to take his own blood without pain and information about Mexican cartels.
The boy was arrested on charges of providing false evidence, shooting at a vehicle, falsely reporting a crime, and possession of a firearm by a minor.
