Florida Teen Made Up Abduction Story and Shot Himself, Sheriff Claims: 'Zero Chance' By Janelle Griffith

A Florida teenager who triggered a statewide Amber Alert after claiming to have been shot and abducted by four Hispanic men last week fabricated the story and shot himself, authorities claim.

Caden Rex Speight, 17, texted his mother that he needed help, had been shot and was with four Hispanic men who were unknown to him, prompting an Amber Alert to be issued in Dunnellon, a city about 80 miles northwest of Orlando in Marion County. He had been believed missing since Thursday, and his truck and cell phone appeared to be abandoned.

But authorities now believe Speight made the whole story up — and even shot himself as part of a ruse.

“The initial details that Caden texted to his family were proven to be false, completely made up,” Marion County Sheriff Billy Woods alleged in a video statement Monday. “We then learned that he had purchased a bicycle, tent and camping supplies just prior to him reporting this.”

Zachary Moore, a public information officer at the sheriff’s office, tells PEOPLE that Speight was seen on surveillance footage purchasing those items at a Walmart in Ocala.

Woods said witnesses contradicted Speight’s claims and he “simply rode away” while the public was left to think the worst, and while the sheriff’s staff “was working in overdrive to solve” the case.

“To continue the ruse, Caden, who had a handgun with him since the beginning of all of this, chose to shoot himself in the leg, causing a non-life-threatening injury just prior to walking out to the roadway where he would be located by citizens of Williston,” Woods alleged.

The sheriff said evidence had been recovered of a single gunshot where Speight left his truck.

“There is zero chance that Caden’s gunshot wound came from any type of assailant,” Woods said.

Woods acknowledged that many people had been “deeply invested” in the case amid the “initial alarming information that was being given to us.” He praised his staff, who he said “sprang into action” on the case that also garnered support from state and federal agencies.

According to the sheriff, Speight’s parents have refused to allow detectives to speak with him to help authorities reach a “true final conclusion.” His parents did not immediately reply to requests for comment Tuesday.

Woods said criminal charges “are not off the table,” and that authorities are still processing evidence. Detectives are also looking into the cost of the investigation so Speight can possibly reimburse them for it, Moore tells PEOPLE.