Florida Woman Convicted of Manslaughter in the Fatal Shooting of Black Neighbor

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Susan L. Lorincz, a 60-year-old white woman, was found guilty of manslaughter in the shooting death of her Black neighbor, Ajike “AJ” Owens. This case, which centered around a long-standing dispute over children playing outside, has drawn national attention, particularly in light of Florida’s controversial “stand your ground” law. 

 

The fatal incident occurred on 2 June 2023 in Ocala, where both women resided. On that day, Owens' children were playing in a field near Lorincz's home. According to the Marion County Sheriff’s Office, Lorincz initiated an argument with the children, escalating the situation by throwing a pair of skates at them, striking Owens' 10-year-old son on the toe. The conflict did not end there.

 

Owens’ 12-year-old son attempted to confront Lorincz, who responded by opening her door and swinging an umbrella at the child. The children, frightened and upset, ran back to their mother to report the confrontation.

 

Owens, a 35-year-old single mother of four, had endured previous altercations with Lorincz. Their feud over the children playing outside had been simmering for some time. Lorincz had called the police on Owens multiple times in the past. In February 2022, Lorincz claimed that Owens had thrown a "no trespassing" sign at her. Then in April 2023, she reported that Owens had been opening her mailbox repeatedly over a ten-day period. Despite these complaints, no arrests were made, and the tension between the two women continued to grow.

 

The conflict reached its tragic peak on that June day when Owens, angered by Lorincz’s treatment of her children, marched over to Lorincz's home, knocked on her door, and demanded that she come outside. Instead of responding to Owens directly, Lorincz took a .380-caliber handgun and fired a single shot through the door, striking Owens in the upper chest. Owens' 10-year-old son stood beside her as she was shot.

 

When deputies arrived at the scene, they found Owens lying in front of Lorincz’s door, suffering from a gunshot wound. Despite efforts to save her, Owens succumbed to her injuries at HCA Florida Ocala Hospital. Lorincz, upon her arrest, claimed that she had acted in self-defense, stating, “I am so sorry for your loss. I was terrified your mom was going to kill me. I shot out of fear.”

 

Florida's “stand your ground” law, which allows individuals to use deadly force in self-defense on their property, initially complicated the case. Authorities had to determine whether Lorincz’s actions fell under this legal protection. After a series of investigations, including forensic interviews with Owens' children, it was determined that the law did not apply. On 6 June 2023, Lorincz was arrested and charged with manslaughter with a firearm. However, officials did not find sufficient evidence to charge her with murder.

 

During her trial, which lasted four days, Lorincz faced an all-white jury that deliberated for only two hours before reaching a verdict. Lorincz sat motionless as she was found guilty of manslaughter, a conviction that could lead to a 30-year prison sentence. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled at a later date, and Lorincz will remain in custody without bond until then.

 

The trial’s conclusion was emotional for Owens’ family, several of whom wept as the verdict was announced. Once Lorincz was led out of the courtroom, Owens’ mother, Pamela Dias, cried out, “Oh God. Thank you, Jesus.” Dias later spoke to reporters, expressing her deep anguish and anger over the loss of her daughter. “She set out to cause harm. She set out to kill. That’s exactly what she did….She has no regard for any form of human life,” Dias said.

 

The case sparked national debate due to the delay in Lorincz’s arrest, with many criticizing the implications of the “stand your ground” law. Ben Crump, a prominent civil rights attorney representing Owens’ family, voiced his concern over the law’s role in the case. “While we are relieved that the woman apparently responsible for the tragic killing of Ajike ‘AJ’ Owens has been arrested, we are no less concerned that accountability has taken this long because archaic laws like ‘stand your ground’ exist,” Crump said.

 

He further questioned the justice system, asking, “What does it say when a person can shoot and kill an unarmed mother in the presence of her young children, and not be immediately taken into custody, questioned, and charged?”

 

The tragic death of Ajike “AJ” Owens has left a lasting impact on her family, her community, and the broader discussion about self-defense laws in the United States. As Lorincz awaits her sentencing, the case continues to serve as a sobering reminder of the deadly consequences that can arise from neighborhood disputes and the complex legal questions surrounding the right to self-defense.

 

Credit: The Independent  2024-08-18

 

 

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[Tug]

Firing blind through the door…..not such a brilliant idea!