Arianna Selina Gajraj, a 23-year-old from Florida, received a 36-month prison sentence for her role in an attempted murder ambush orchestrated by her recently reconciled boyfriend. The victim escaped unharmed despite 21 shots fired at his vehicle in Clermont. Gajraj pleaded guilty to charges of attempted first-degree murder with a firearm and conspiracy to commit first-degree murder.
On March 11, 2024, Lake County Circuit Judge Cary F. Rada sentenced Arianna Selina Gajraj to 36 months in prison, crediting her with 602 days already served, leaving less than 18 months remaining. The sentencing followed her guilty plea to one count each of attempted first-degree murder with a firearm and conspiracy to commit first-degree murder.
The incident occurred around 1:53 a.m. on Peppermill Trail in Clermont, Florida. Deputies from the Lake County Sheriff's Office responded to reports of a shooting and found 21 spent 9 mm cartridge casings in the roadway, 13 projectile strikes on the victim's vehicle, three on a nearby Massey work truck, and one on a mailbox.
The victim had picked up Gajraj to smoke marijuana and discuss issues involving her boyfriend, Brandon Pirela, who had sent him threatening messages via Instagram. Examples include Pirela writing, "Just don't make me f— you up, take it how you want," and "Do I have to smack the s— outta you?" The victim parked on Peppermill Trail when a white 2014 Toyota Camry with dark tint pulled up, and the driver, masked and in dark clothing, fired multiple rounds from a handgun with an extended magazine.
Gajraj and Pirela had dated for about a year before breaking up three months prior to the shooting. They reconciled just two days before the ambush. Messages on the Pinger app from November 30 to December 1, 2023, showed Gajraj confronting Pirela about their relationship, reconciling, and then plotting the attack. Gajraj suggested using a blocked call to gain the victim's trust and shared their location 12 minutes before the shooting at 12:39 a.m.
In a noncustodial interview, Gajraj initially claimed ignorance of Pirela's involvement but later admitted calling him after the shots. Investigators linked Pirela's vehicle to the scene via license plate reader and surveillance footage. A jury convicted Pirela of the same charges in January 2024; he awaits sentencing on April 7.
The victim reversed his vehicle and fled, eluding the pursuer on Old Highway 50 before dropping Gajraj off and contacting police.
