U.S. authorities have announced a tragic shooting near “Disney World” in Florida, where a man randomly opened fire inside a rental home, killing three tourists stranded in the resort city.
Osceola County Sheriff Christopher Blackmon reported that the suspect, 29-year-old Ahmed Jihad Pugh, was arrested on Saturday shortly after the bodies of the three victims were discovered with gunshot wounds in the yard of a rental home in Kissimmee.
Police stated that they received reports of a shooting around 12:14 p.m., and an officer found the bodies and requested backup. Two of the victims were identified as brothers from Michigan and Ohio, ages 70 and 68 respectively, while the third victim was a 68-year-old friend from Ohio, whose identity has not yet been released pending family notification.
Investigations indicate that the victims had to extend their stay at the property due to a car breakdown. About an hour after the incident, police arrested the suspect inside his adjacent home and charged him with three counts of first-degree murder.
The Sheriff confirmed that there were no disputes between the perpetrator and the victims, and indicated that the incident appears random so far. Two firearms were also found inside the suspect’s home and are being examined to determine if they were used in the crime.
According to court records obtained by ClickOrlando, Pugh was arrested in 2021 after randomly shooting at a person and vehicles in a gas station parking lot in Kissimmee, injuring a man, before being acquitted of the charges due to his mental state.
Blackmon stated, “I can tell you he’s been a threat to that neighborhood the entire time.” Investigations are ongoing, and a judge ordered the suspect to be held in the Osceola County Jail without bail.
It is worth noting that Kissimmee is a vibrant area with rental properties and golf courses, located about half an hour’s drive from “Disney World”.
