Three tourists visiting Florida were found shot dead outside their rental home in Kissimmee on January 18, 2026, in what authorities described as a random act of violence near the popular Disney World area.
Ahmad Jihad Bojeh, 29, was arrested at his residence next door to the rental property and faces three counts of first-degree murder. The victims — Robert Luis Kraft, 70, of Holland, Michigan; his brother Douglas Joseph Kraft, 68, of Columbus, Ohio; and their friend James John Puchan, 68, also of Columbus, Ohio — were discovered in the yard of their rental home on Indian Point Circle in the Indian Hills subdivision.
Deputies responded to reports of shots fired at 12:14 p.m. Upon arrival, officers made the grim discovery of the three men lying in the yard, all suffering from apparent gunshot wounds. At 1:13 p.m., about one hour after the shooting, deputies located and arrested Bojeh inside his home adjacent to the rental property.
Osceola County Sheriff Christopher Blackmon characterized the killings during a news conference as particularly troubling. “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.”
The three victims had extended their stay at the rental property after experiencing car trouble that left them stranded in the area. Two of the deceased were brothers, while the third man was a friend from Ohio who had been traveling with them.
Following Bojeh’s arrest, investigators recovered two firearms from his home. Authorities are working to determine whether either weapon was used in the fatal shootings. Bojeh was booked into the Osceola County Jail and made his first court appearance on Sunday, where he was ordered held without bond.
The Kissimmee location, situated near Disney World, typically attracts visitors from around the country seeking vacation accommodations. The Indian Hills subdivision where the shooting occurred sits in an area frequented by tourists looking for rental properties close to Central Florida’s theme parks and attractions.
Sheriff Blackmon revealed that Bojeh was well known to local law enforcement prior to the incident. “I can tell you he was a threat to that neighborhood all the time,” Blackmon said, describing the suspect as a frequent flyer to the sheriff’s office.
Court records show Bojeh had a significant prior encounter with the criminal justice system. In 2021, he was arrested after allegedly shooting at a person and multiple vehicles in a Kissimmee gas station parking lot. That incident resulted in one man being injured. However, Bojeh was later acquitted of charges by reason of insanity, allowing him to return to the community.
Robert Luis Kraft, at 70 years old, was the eldest of the three victims. His brother Douglas Joseph Kraft was 68, as was their friend James John Puchan. The two brothers hailed from different states — Robert from Michigan and Douglas from Ohio. Puchan, also from Ohio, joined them on what should have been a routine vacation to Central Florida.
The vehicle trouble that stranded the group proved fatally consequential. Had their car not broken down, requiring them to extend their rental stay, they would likely have departed the area before the shooting. The circumstances that led to their extended presence at the property adjacent to Bojeh’s home underscores the arbitrary nature of the tragedy.
Sheriff Blackmon emphasized that investigators found no evidence of any prior conflict or interaction between Bojeh and his victims. The lack of any discernible motive or triggering incident between the parties involved makes the case particularly difficult for both law enforcement and the victims’ families to comprehend.
The investigation remains active as authorities work to establish a complete timeline of events and determine what, if any, factors may have prompted Bojeh to allegedly commit the murders. Detectives are examining all available evidence, including the two recovered firearms and witness statements from neighbors.
Kissimmee, with its proximity to Disney World and other Orlando-area attractions, hosts thousands of tourists annually. The city’s rental property market thrives on visitors seeking affordable accommodations near the theme parks. The shooting represents a rare but devastating incident of violence in an area that depends heavily on tourism revenue and maintains a generally welcoming atmosphere for visitors.
The three counts of first-degree murder filed against Bojeh carry the possibility of severe penalties under Florida law. The charges indicate prosecutors believe the killings were premeditated, aligning with Sheriff Blackmon’s public characterization of the incident as cold-blooded.
As the case moves forward through the judicial system, attention will likely focus on Bojeh’s mental health history and his 2021 acquittal by reason of insanity. The legal proceedings could take months or even years to resolve.