OCALA, Fla. – A statewide Amber Alert issued for a missing 13-year-old girl ended Monday after the homicide suspect accused of abducting her died from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound following a vehicle pursuit in Marion County, according to the Marion County Sheriff’s Office.
Authorities said 45-year-old Jason Castillo was suspected of abducting Juliet Louise Arioso from her home in the Shady Road Villas community in Ocala sometime between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. on July 27. An Amber Alert was issued identifying Castillo as the suspect and describing the vehicle he was believed to be driving, a red 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe.
At approximately 5:20 p.m. Monday, Marion County deputies located the suspect vehicle and attempted a traffic stop.
According to the Sheriff’s Office, Castillo refused to stop, prompting a pursuit. Deputies performed a Precision Immobilization Technique (PIT) maneuver, disabling the SUV on U.S. Highway 441 near the intersection of County Road 25A.
As deputies moved in to take Castillo into custody, shots were heard. Deputies secured the scene and discovered Castillo suffering from a gunshot wound.
Castillo was transported to a local hospital for treatment, where he was later pronounced dead.
The Marion County Sheriff’s Office said preliminary evidence indicates Castillo died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The southbound lanes of U.S. Highway 441 near County Road 25A were closed for several hours while investigators processed the scene.
Authorities said the 13-year-old girl was safely rescued during the incident and has been reunited with her family.
Sheriff Billy Woods praised the deputies, technology and a vigilant citizen whose actions helped bring the case to a safe conclusion.
According to Woods, deputies immediately launched an intensive search after receiving the abduction report and quickly secured an Amber Alert. Investigators also relied on the Sheriff’s Office’s License Plate Reader camera system, which helped identify and track the suspect vehicle.
Woods said the breakthrough came when a citizen recognized the vehicle after seeing the Amber Alert and called 911, providing critical information that allowed deputies to locate Castillo.
“This little girl is home tonight because my deputies did their job, our License Plate Reader cameras did exactly what they’re designed to do, and one citizen took the time to make a phone call,” Woods said. “It took all three working together to bring this little girl home.”
The sheriff also commended the deputies involved in the case, saying they pursued every lead, used every available resource and remained focused until the child was safely recovered.
No deputies were injured during the incident, and no law enforcement officers discharged their weapons.