Florida Man Charged with Triple Murder of Tourists

A man in Florida has been charged with the fatal shootings of three elderly tourists who were vacationing near Disney World. Records indicate that the suspect had previously evaded an attempted murder charge using an insanity defense.

The Osceola County Sheriff’s Office reported that on January 17, officers responded to a shooting complaint around 12:13 p.m. in Kissimmee.

Authorities found three deceased men in front of a home, all showing signs of gunshot wounds.

Quickly, police arrested 29-year-old Ahmad Jihad Boje, charging him with three counts of premeditated murder and one count of resisting arrest without violence. He is currently held without bail in the Osceola County Jail.

“The suspects in these horrific and senseless murders have been apprehended, and there is no ongoing threat to the community,” Sheriff Christopher Blackmon stated.

Blackmon clarified that Boje lived next to the rental property where the victims stayed, emphasizing, “It was ruthless, it was premeditated…there was no conflict between these people. This was just a coincidence.”

Investigators recovered two firearms from Boje’s residence after obtaining a warrant. They are examining one of the guns to check if it was involved in the shootings.

Sheriff Blackmon noted that Boje is a “frequent user” of police services, mentioning numerous past reports. He described Boje as “constantly a threat to the neighborhood.” The motive for the shooting remains unclear, and the investigation is ongoing.

Reports indicate that the victims—Douglas Craft, 68, Robert Craft, 70, and James Pukan, 68—were friends visiting the Mecum Kershaw car show and had been staying at an Airbnb rental.

Family members released a joint statement expressing their grief: “With heavy hearts, we confirm the death of a beloved husband, father, grandfather, uncle, brother and friend.” They shared that the tourists were “senselessly murdered” in what they called a “random and tragic act.”

The family requested privacy as they navigate this unexpected loss, emphasizing the need for respect as they begin to mourn.

Additionally, it was reported that Boje had previously faced an attempted murder charge but was released due to an insanity ruling. Florida Attorney General James Usmayer publicly criticized this outcome, asserting that violent offenders should not be freed to harm others again.

Authorities noted that Boje was prohibited from owning firearms as part of his plea, underscoring the gravity of the situation.

The Osceola County Sheriff’s Office is continuing its investigation into this tragic incident.