A Florida woman, Susan Lorincz, fired a shot through her door at her Black neighbor, Ajike “A.J.” Owens, amid a dispute over the neighbor’s children. Lorincz claimed in a video statement played in court that she panicked as Owens pounded heavily on her door and threatened her on June 2, 2023, in Ocala, Florida. Owens’ mother, Pamela Dias, disputed Lorincz’s claim, stating that Lorincz was not in fear for her life but rather intended to harm Owens, who was fatally shot. Lorincz is currently on trial for manslaughter in connection with the shooting.
During a recorded interview with Marion County detectives on the day of the shooting, Lorincz repeatedly expressed that she feared for her life as Owens, who weighed about 290 pounds, pounded on her door and yelled at her. The confrontation stemmed from Lorincz allegedly throwing skates and an umbrella at Owens’ children while they played outside, although Lorincz denied throwing anything at the kids. Lorincz admitted to firing a single shot through the door with her .380-caliber handgun, hitting Owens in the chest, but claimed she was just trying to get Owens to leave and was not intending to kill her.
The shooting marked the climax of a longstanding dispute between Owens, her children, and Lorincz over their activities in a grassy area near their homes. Lorincz mentioned feeling harassed by the children for most of the three years she had lived there, denying accusations of using racial slurs against them. Facing up to 30 years in prison if convicted of manslaughter, Lorincz described frequent confrontations with Owens and her children as the reason she would jam a chair against the door for protection at night.
State Attorney William Gladson revealed that his office considered a second-degree murder charge but ultimately decided there was insufficient evidence to prove that Lorincz harbored “hatred, spite, ill will, or evil intent” towards Owens. The delay in charging Lorincz in the case led to protests at the courthouse. Ocala, the location of the incident, is situated about 80 miles northwest of Orlando in central Florida.
