Individual with a criminal background charged with the deaths of 3 tourists in a shooting close to Disney

Florida Man Accused of Killing Three Tourists Had Troubled History

A Florida man, Ahmad Jihad Boje, 29, is facing serious charges after allegedly shooting and killing three tourists near the Magic Kingdom. His background includes a significant criminal record and mental health issues; notably, he was previously acquitted of attempted first-degree murder due to insanity.

Before the recent incident, Boje had multiple encounters with law enforcement, including a notable event in 2021. He was charged with attempted first-degree murder with a firearm and aggravated battery for reportedly firing at random people and vehicles in the parking lot of a gas station in Kissimmee. Ultimately, he was found not guilty by reason of insanity, as indicated by court documents.

Boje’s past also includes arrests for felony drug possession and resisting an officer without violence. His various interactions with law enforcement demonstrate a longstanding pattern of trouble.

Florida Attorney General James Usmayer, in a statement following Boje’s arrest, lamented the prosecution’s handling of his earlier cases. He criticized the former State Attorney, saying, “Prior to State Attorney Worrell’s suspension, Ahmad Jihad Bojeh was acquitted… She did not appear to resist Beauje’s use of the insanity defense and he was allowed to go free.”

According to Osceola County Sheriff Christopher Blackmon, Boje was seen as a constant danger to the community. He noted the numerous visits to their agency and consistent police calls concerning Boje, underscoring what many perceived as a significant threat.

Despite this troubling history, investigators revealed that Boje lived next door to a rental home where three tourists were staying at the time of the shooting. On Saturday afternoon, he is accused of killing three men outside this property in what Sheriff Blackmon condemned as a “horrifying and senseless” act of violence. He described the act as “ruthless, premeditated, and completely random,” emphasizing that there was no prior conflict between the shooter and the victims.

The shooting took place in a subdivision near Kissimmee, where deputies found three adult males dead from apparent gunshot wounds after responding to reports of gunfire. The victims were identified as Robert Louis Craft, 69, and his brother Douglas Joseph Craft, 68, both from Ohio, and their friend James Pucchan, also 68.

After the shooting, officers located Boje in a nearby home and apprehended him. He now faces three counts of premeditated murder and one count of resisting arrest without violence. Currently, Boje is being held without bail in the Osceola County Jail.