A Florida man, Ahmad Jihad Bojeh, aged 29, is at the center of a tragic incident near the Magic Kingdom, where he allegedly took the lives of three tourists. His past is peppered with encounters with law enforcement, marked by both criminal charges and mental health issues, including an earlier high-profile case where he was found not guilty by reason of insanity for attempted first-degree murder.
Bojeh’s previous run-ins with the law are extensive. In 2021, he faced charges of attempted first-degree murder with a firearm and aggravated battery after reportedly opening fire at a person and indiscriminately shooting at vehicles in a Kissimmee gas station parking lot. However, court records detail how Bojeh was acquitted of these charges due to an insanity plea, a decision that has since sparked criticism.
His criminal history is further underscored by past arrests for felony drug possession and resisting an officer without violence, painting a picture of an individual frequently in trouble with the law. This pattern of behavior has long been on the radar of local authorities.
In the wake of Bojeh’s recent arrest, Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier expressed his disapproval of the handling of Bojeh’s earlier case. He pointed to the actions of the former State Attorney, suggesting that a lack of opposition to the insanity defense contributed to Bojeh’s release. “Prior to State Attorney Worrell’s suspension, Ahmad Jihad Bojeh was acquitted of attempted first-degree murder with a firearm and aggravated battery,” Uthmeier stated, “It appears she didn’t put up a fight to Bojeh’s use of the insanity defense, and he was allowed to go free.”
Osceola County Sheriff Christopher Blackmon weighed in as well, labeling Bojeh as a “frequent flyer” with law enforcement. Blackmon noted the numerous service calls involving Bojeh, underscoring his ongoing threat to community safety. The sheriff’s comments highlight the persistent challenge Bojeh posed to the neighborhood, emphasizing the need for a deeper examination of how such cases are managed and resolved.
Osceola County Sheriff Christopher Blackmon described Bojeh as a “frequent flyer” with his agency and “a threat to the neighborhood all the time,” citing repeated calls for service involving the suspect.
Ahmad Jihad Bojeh, 29, was booked into the Osceola County Jail on three counts of premeditated murder. (Osceola County Jail)
Despite that history, investigators say Bojeh was living next door to a rental home where three tourists were staying when the deadly shooting occurred.
Bojeh is accused of fatally shooting the three men outside the rental property Saturday afternoon in what Blackmon called a “horrific and senseless” act of random violence.
“It was cold-blooded, it was premeditated, there was absolutely no issues,” Blackmon said. “There was no conflict between these people. This was just random. And this happened to be the person who lived next door.”
Bojeh was arrested in connection with a previous shooting incident in 2021, but was later “acquitted by reason of insanity,” according to court records obtained by WKMG-TV. (Osceola County Sheriff’s Office)
Deputies responded around 12:13 p.m. Saturday to reports of a shooting in a subdivision near Kissimmee, where they found three adult men dead outside the home, each suffering apparent gunshot wounds. Investigators said the victims had extended their stay by one day after experiencing vehicle trouble.
Two of the victims were identified as Robert Luis Kraft, 69, of Holland, Michigan, and his brother Douglas Joseph Kraft, 68, of Columbus, Ohio. The third victim was identified as James Puchan, 68, a friend from Ohio, FOX35 Orlando reported.
Deputies located Bojeh inside his nearby home about an hour later and took him into custody. Online jail records show he is facing three counts of premeditated murder and one count of resisting arrest without violence and is being held at the Osceola County Jail without bond.
The investigation remains ongoing.
Stepheny Price covers crime, including missing persons, homicides and migrant crime. Send story tips to stepheny.price@fox.com.
