Crime
Ahmad Jihad Bojeh Charged in Triple Homicide of Tourists in Kissimmee
OSCEOLA COUNTY, Fla. — Authorities have charged Ahmad Jihad Bojeh, 29, in connection with the fatal shooting of three men outside a vacation rental home near Kissimmee, Florida, over the weekend, according to the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office.
The shooting occurred on Saturday in a residential neighborhood in Osceola County.
Investigators said the three victims—two brothers and a longtime friend—were visiting Florida and staying at a nearby rental property.
Authorities reported that the men had extended their stay by one day due to vehicle issues and were outside the home awaiting assistance when the attack occurred.
The victims were identified as:
- Robert Louis Kraft, 70, of Holland, Michigan
- Douglas Joseph Kraft, 68, of Columbus, Ohio, Robert Kraft’s brother
- James John Puchan, 69, of Ohio, a close friend of the brothers
All three victims were pronounced dead at the scene.
Osceola County Sheriff Christopher Blackmon described the killings as “horrific,” “senseless,” “cold-blooded,” and “premeditated.”
He stated that investigators found no prior relationship or known conflict between the victims and the suspect and characterized the incident as a random act of violence.
Bojeh, who was reportedly living in a residence adjacent to the vacation rental, was taken into custody shortly after the shooting without incident.
Investigators recovered two firearms from his home, according to the sheriff’s office.
Bojeh has been charged with three counts of first-degree premeditated murder. During his initial court appearance, he was denied bond.
Sheriff Blackmon also confirmed that Bojeh was known to law enforcement prior to the incident, citing multiple prior calls for service at his residence and a history that authorities said had previously raised concerns about public safety.
Court records indicate that Bojeh was involved in a 2021 shooting in which one person was injured.
He was charged at that time with offenses including attempted first-degree murder with a firearm and aggravated battery, but was later found not guilty by reason of insanity in 2022 and subsequently released.
The investigation remains ongoing.
Authorities have not announced any determination regarding motive beyond stating that there is no evidence at this time of a personal dispute between the suspect and the victims.
Crime
Walls Police Officer Da’Quarius Burton Injured in Deadly Mississippi Crash, Mother Confirms He Is Alive and Safe
DESOTO COUNTY, Mississippi — Walls Police Officer Da’Quarius Burton was injured in a deadly two-vehicle collision on U.S. Highway 61 in DeSoto County, Mississippi, but his mother has confirmed that he is alive, safe and recovering following the crash.
Burton, 27, of Memphis, Tennessee, was driving a Dodge Durango involved in the collision shortly after 8 p.m. Wednesday at the intersection of U.S. Highway 61 and Church Road in Walls.
The crash claimed the lives of three people traveling in a Honda Accord. The incident also left another passenger injured and involved employees of the DeSoto County Sheriff’s Office Juvenile Detention Center.
Following the crash, misinformation circulated online suggesting that Burton had died and that he was a juvenile detention officer.
His mother, Tee Burton, publicly addressed the reports, firmly correcting the information and asking people to stop sharing unverified claims.
She confirmed that her son is alive, safe and okay. She also emphasized that he is not a juvenile detention officer.
In her statement, she expressed disappointment over reports falsely identifying her son as one of the people who died in the collision.
She also acknowledged the families who lost loved ones and urged the public to show compassion toward everyone affected by the tragedy.
Her statement included the following message:
“My son is alive!!! He is safe, and he is okay!!!”
She further asked people to verify information before publishing or reposting details that could cause unnecessary emotional distress to families.
According to the Mississippi Highway Patrol, a northbound Dodge Durango traveling on U.S. Highway 61 collided with a westbound Honda Accord traveling on Church Road.
Three occupants of the Honda were pronounced dead at the scene.
Authorities identified the victims as:
- Latasha N. Dodson, 37, of Horn Lake, Mississippi, the Honda driver.
- Eddie L. Dodson Jr., 41, of Byhalia, Mississippi.
- Tamenshia R. Ford, 32, of Horn Lake, Mississippi.
Burton and another passenger in the Honda survived the collision but sustained injuries and were transported to a local hospital. Their specific medical conditions have not been publicly detailed in the information provided.
The DeSoto County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that two people involved in the crash were employees of its Juvenile Detention Center.
One of those employees was Tamenshia R. Ford, who died in the collision. The second employee was seriously injured.
Sheriff Thomas E. Tuggle II expressed condolences following the death of the employee, describing the person as a respected and beloved member of the department.
“Our fallen officer was a respected and beloved member of our team,” Tuggle said.
The sheriff’s office also recognized the employee’s dedication, compassion and commitment to working with young people entrusted to the facility’s care.
State officials confirmed that the Dodge Durango involved in the collision belonged to the Walls Police Department.
The city’s mayor and police chief also confirmed that a Walls police officer was involved in the crash. Burton’s mother has since clarified that her son is the officer and that he survived.
An SUV displaying Walls Police Department identification was seen being towed from the crash scene Wednesday night.
The Mississippi Highway Patrol is leading the investigation into the fatal collision.
Investigators are working to determine the circumstances surrounding the crash. Authorities have not released additional details about what led to the vehicles colliding.
The crash resulted in three deaths and left multiple people injured. Burton’s family has asked the public to respect the victims and their loved ones while avoiding the spread of false information.
The investigation remains ongoing.