Inset: Ajike “A.J.” Owens (GoFundMe). Background: Susan Louise Lorincz in court (Office of The State Attorney, Fifth Judicial Circuit, Florida)
A 60-year-old white woman from Florida was convicted this week after shooting her neighbor, a Black mother of four, by firing a gun through her locked front door as the victim stood on the porch knocking and was killed in front of her children.
Susan Louise Lorincz was found guilty on Friday of manslaughter by use of a firearm in the death of Ajike “A.J.” Owens, 35. The all-white jury made its decision after deliberating for over two hours, The Associated Press reported.
Owens’ mother, Pamela Dias, applauded the verdict outside court, the wire service reported.
“We’ve achieved some justice for Ajike. My heart is a little lighter,” Dias said. “This has been a long journey to get to this stage, to get to this verdict. I find some peace with that verdict.”
Bill Gladson, Fifth Judicial Circuit State Attorney, said in a news release the case is a tragic reminder of the devastating consequences of gun violence.
“The defendant’s choices have left four young children without their mother, a loss that will be felt for the rest of their lives,” he said. “While today’s verdict can’t bring AJ back, we hope it brings some measure of justice and peace to her family and friends.”
Owens was killed on June 2, 2023, according to a news release from the Marion County Sheriff’s Office.
Deputies responded at about 9 p.m. to a trespassing call in the 1600 block of SW 107th Lane in Ocala, about 80 miles northwest of Orlando, when another call was received about a shooting at the same location, authorities said. When deputies arrived, they found Owens in front of Lorincz’s apartment, suffering from a gunshot wound. Deputies rendered aid to her until Marion County Fire Rescue responded and took her to a hospital, where she died, officials said.
Through interviews, surveillance footage, prior incidents and calls for service involving Lorincz and Owens, detectives learned that Lorincz had become angry over time at Owens’ children, who were playing in a field close to her home, deputies said.
There were a series of incidents leading up to the bloodshed that day, authorities said. A neighbor heard Lorincz yelling at the children. During the argument, Lorincz threw a roller skate at Owens’ 10-year-old son, hitting him in the toe, deputies said in the news release. When the boy and his 12-year-old brother went to speak to Lorincz, she opened her door and swung at them with an umbrella, they added.
After the children told their mother what had happened, Owens went to Lorincz’s home, knocked on the door multiple times, and demanded that Lorincz come outside. Lorincz fired one shot through the door, striking Owens in the chest as the fatally wounded mom’s 10-year-old son stood beside her, authorities said.
When interviewed, Lorincz claimed self-defense, saying Owens had been trying to break down her door. She also said Owens had come after her in the past and had previously attacked her.
But detectives ultimately found Lorincz’s actions “were not justifiable under Florida law,” and Lorincz was arrested on June 6, 2023.
Lorincz faces up to 30 years in prison. A sentencing date has not been set.
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