Florida Teen Faces Charges After Self-Inflicted Gunshot in Fake Kidnapping Incident, Authorities Reveal

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A 17-year-old from Dunnellon, Florida, found himself in hot water after allegedly orchestrating his own kidnapping, an incident that led to a statewide AMBER Alert, authorities reported.

The drama unfolded on September 25 when the Marion County Sheriff’s Office was called to investigate what was initially believed to be a shooting. The teenager had alarmed his family with a text message claiming he had been shot. Upon arrival, deputies discovered his truck abandoned, marked with a bullet hole and traces of blood on the windshield.

According to the Marion County Sheriff’s Office, crime scene technicians noted several telling signs: a bullet hole piercing the windshield, suspected bloodstains, a heavily damaged cellphone, drag marks in the dirt, and bicycle tracks that seemed to lead away from the vehicle.

Further investigation revealed that the teenager had deliberately shot himself and fired a round through his truck’s windshield, smearing blood inside the vehicle before smashing his phone, authorities disclosed.

The sheriff’s office stated that the teenager left the scene on a bicycle with camping supplies he got from Walmart. A witness also reported seeing the boy leaving the scene on a bike.

He was later found in Williston, Florida, with a gun and the bicycle in his possession.

“He attempted to continue the ruse and had a self-inflicted gunshot wound to his leg, which shattered his femur and required medical treatment,” the sheriff’s office said.

Detectives said they later learned he had previously mentioned running away from home. A search of the boy’s laptop also revealed that he searched how to collect his own blood without pain and information on Mexican cartels.

The teenager was arrested on charges of presenting false evidence, shooting into a conveyance, making a false report of a crime, and possession of a firearm by a minor.