In a bizarre turn of events in Dunnellon, Florida, a 17-year-old has been arrested for allegedly faking his own kidnapping, a stunt that led to the issuance of a statewide AMBER Alert, according to local authorities.

The incident unfolded on September 25 when the Marion County Sheriff’s Office was called to a reported shooting. The teenager had texted his family, claiming he had been shot. Upon arrival, deputies discovered the teen’s truck with a bullet hole and blood stains on the windshield, prompting immediate concern.

“Crime Scene Technicians found a bullet hole in the windshield, suspected blood, the teen’s severely damaged cellphone, drag marks in the dirt, and bicycle tracks leading from the truck,” detailed the Marion County Sheriff’s Office.