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.
Norfolk, Virginia — Authorities have identified the instructor killed during Thursday’s shooting at Old Dominion University as Lt. Col. Brandon Shah, a retired U.S. Army officer who had returned to the university to serve as an instructor with its Army ROTC program.
The shooting occurred at approximately 10:43 a.m. on the university’s campus in Norfolk. Police responded after receiving multiple emergency calls reporting an active shooter inside Constant Hall.
According to law enforcement sources, the suspect—identified by authorities as Mohammed Jalloh—entered the building and walked through the hallway before approaching a classroom where an Army ROTC session was underway.
The suspect reportedly asked individuals inside whether he had arrived at an ROTC class. When someone confirmed that it was, the suspect allegedly opened fire, fatally shooting the class instructor.
Voorhees University confirmed in a public Facebook statement that the victim was Lt. Col. Brandon Shah, noting the tragedy has personal ties to the institution.
“This tragedy is felt especially close to home for us, as the victim, Lieutenant Colonel Brandon Shah, was the son-in-law of Voorhees University Trustee and alumnus Dr. Dan Martin,” the university wrote in its statement. “We lift Dr. Martin and his family in our thoughts and prayers during this time of unimaginable loss.”
Shah was a native of Staunton and began his military career by enlisting in the United States Army in 2003 as an aviation operations specialist.
In 2005, he enrolled at Old Dominion University, where he later received his Army commission in 2007. Shah graduated with a bachelor’s degree in sociology and a minor in military science.
Following his commissioning, Shah served extensively in Army aviation. According to his alumni profile at ODU, he earned the Army Aviation Senior Aviator wings, logging more than 1,200 flight hours across three different aircraft and accumulating over 600 combat flight hours during his service.
In addition to his undergraduate degree, Shah pursued advanced education, earning an MBA from University of Georgia and a Master of Science in Engineering Management from University of Kansas.
Throughout his military career, Shah received numerous awards and distinctions. Among them were the Senior Army Aviator Badge, Combat Action Badge, Parachutist Badge, and Air Assault Badge.
His alumni biography also described him as a strong advocate for minority and veteran business education, highlighting his involvement in initiatives that support diversity, inclusion, and entrepreneurship. In addition to his professional work, Shah volunteered his time to assist underserved communities.
Shah returned to his alma mater in summer 2022 to serve as an instructor and help lead the Army ROTC Monarch Battalion at Old Dominion University. In that role, he mentored and trained students pursuing military leadership careers.
University officials and members of the campus community have expressed deep sorrow over his death, remembering Shah as a dedicated officer, educator, and mentor whose service and leadership had a lasting impact on students and colleagues alike.
Law enforcement agencies continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the shooting.
Authorities have not yet released additional details about the suspect’s motive, and the investigation remains active.