Suspect reportedly shot and killed in AMBER Alert case

Jason Castillo [Photo from Marion County Sheriff’s Office Facebook page]

UPDATE: A 7 p.m. post on the MCSO Facebook page noted that: At approximately 5:20 p.m. this evening, deputies located the suspect vehicle and attempted to conduct a traffic stop. The suspect, identified as Jason Castillo, refused to stop and fled from deputies. A P.I.T. Maneuver was conducted which caused the vehicle to become disabled on U.S. Highway 441 near the intersection with County Road 25A.

As deputies attempted to apprehend Castillo, shots were fired. Castillo was transported to the hospital for treatment.

At this time, the southbound lanes of U.S. Highway 441 in the area of the incident remain closed. The public is asked to avoid the area and seek alternate routes.

This remains an active investigation. Additional information will be released as it becomes available.

ORIGINAL POST: The Florida AMBER Alert issued Monday for 13-year-old Juliet Louise Arioso was canceled after authorities said the child was located safely, as posted on social media by the Marion County Sheriff’s Office around 5:25 p.m.

In announcing that Juliet had been found and was safe, the MCSO noted that additional information would be released as it becomes available.

Multiple sources at the scene indicated that her alleged abductor, Jason Castillo, 45, was reportedly shot by deputies and died in Belleview.

Earlier in the day, investigators said Juliet was believed to have been abducted from her home in the Shady Road Villas community in Ocala sometime between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Monday. Authorities identified Castillo as the suspect and said he was believed to be driving a red 2021 Hyundai Santa Fe.

A “Gazette” reporter at the scene Monday evening said that traffic on Hwy. 441 was stopped in both directions.

The investigation is ongoing and more details will be added as they are released.