A 13-year-old girl from Ocala was found safe Monday evening after being abducted, following a police chase that ended with a PIT maneuver and shots fired.

The Marion County Sheriff’s Office and Florida Department of Law Enforcement issued an Amber Alert for Juliet Arioso (also referred to as Juliet Louise Arioso), 13. She was believed to have been taken from her home in the Shady Road Villas community in Ocala sometime between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. on July 27, 2026. The suspect was identified as 45-year-old Jason Castillo. The pair was thought to be traveling in a red 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe.

Around 5:20 p.m., deputies located the vehicle and attempted a traffic stop. Castillo did not stop and fled. Officers performed a PIT maneuver that disabled the vehicle on U.S. Highway 441 near County Road 25A in the Belleview area. During the attempt to take Castillo into custody, shots were fired. The girl was rescued unharmed, and the Amber Alert was canceled.

Castillo was taken to a hospital, where he was later pronounced dead. Southbound lanes of Highway 441 in the area remained closed for a time as the investigation continued.

Authorities have credited the rapid response, public tips from the Amber Alert, and coordinated efforts by Marion County deputies and other agencies for the successful recovery of the child. Further details about the circumstances of the abduction and the shooting are expected as the investigation proceeds.

The girl is safe with her family.

Sources

• Marion County Sheriff’s Office updates and Amber Alert information
• Reports from WESH