A competency hearing for the man accused of fatally shooting three tourists outside a Kissimmee Airbnb has been postponed, delaying an important development in a case that has drawn widespread attention.
Ahmad Bojeh, 29, is charged with three counts of first-degree murder in the Jan. 17 killings of three visitors from Ohio. Investigators said the victims were staying at an Airbnb near Bojeh’s home while in Central Florida for a local car show.
According to deputies, Bojeh was identified as the shooter and later arrested. Authorities have said he lived next door to the rental property where the victims were staying.
The hearing held Thursday had been expected to address the results of competency evaluations requested by both prosecutors and the defense after Bojeh’s arrest. Instead, the matter was delayed because the judge assigned to the case was unavailable.
Bojeh’s background has also become a focus in the case. In 2022, he went on trial for attempted murder after allegedly opening fire at a person and at random vehicles at a Kissimmee gas station. He was found not guilty by reason of insanity in that case and was prohibited from possessing a firearm.
Thursday’s hearing was expected to produce a ruling on those evaluations, but the proceedings hit another snag because the judge assigned to this case was out.
The substitute judge on the bench, Judge Hal C. Epperson Jr. of Florida’s Ninth Judicial Circuit Court, explained the reasoning for the delay.
“Because there is no consensus between the parties, between the state and the defense with respect to the court relying exclusively on the two evaluations that have been completed, and given the nature of the case, it’s appropriate for the court, who has stewardship over this matter and who has historical knowledge, to address this matter,” Epperson said.
A new hearing date has not yet been announced.
