A white Florida woman, Susan Lorincz, was found guilty of manslaughter on Friday after an all-white jury in Ocala convicted her for the fatal shooting of her Black neighbor, Ajike “A.J.” Owens. The incident, which occurred on June 2, 2023, stemmed from a heated dispute between Lorincz, 60, and Owens, 35, over Owens’ children playing outside their homes. The jury’s decision followed two and a half hours of deliberation and rejected Lorincz’s claim of self-defense.
Lorincz, who now faces up to 30 years in prison, had argued that she feared for her life when she fired a single shot with a .380-caliber handgun through her metal front door, striking Owens. She claimed Owens was aggressively yelling and banging on the door, leading her to believe she was in “imminent danger.” However, prosecutors highlighted that this incident was the culmination of ongoing tensions between Lorincz and Owens over the children’s activities near their homes. The conflict reached a tipping point when the children complained that Lorincz had thrown roller skates and an umbrella at them.
In a videotaped interview presented in court, Lorincz stated that she had been harassed for the majority of the three years she lived in the neighborhood. However, during closing arguments, prosecutor Rich Buxman emphasized that there was no imminent threat from Owens at the time of the shooting. “It’s not a crime to bang on somebody’s door. It’s not a crime to yell,” Buxman argued. “There was no imminent danger whatsoever when she fired that gun.”
Defense attorney Amanda Sizemore countered by invoking Florida’s “stand your ground” law, arguing that Lorincz was justified in her actions due to her fear of Owens, who was described as significantly larger and younger. Sizemore maintained that Lorincz made a split-second decision in what she perceived as a dangerous situation. Lorincz did not take the stand during her trial but had previously told detectives that she did not intend to harm Owens. However, a 911 call revealed Lorincz’s frustration, where she told a dispatcher, “I’m just sick of these children.”
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The case drew attention and criticism from the Black community, particularly over the racial dynamics involved. The fact that no Black jurors were selected for the trial sparked concerns, especially given the nature of the case. The court clerk’s office reported that out of 70 potential jurors, eight were Black, while 49 were white, 10 Hispanic, two Asian, and one listed as “other.” Despite the outcry and initial delays in charging Lorincz, she was ultimately charged with manslaughter, a lesser offense than second-degree murder, which could have resulted in a life sentence.
Following the verdict, Owens’ family expressed a mix of relief and sorrow. “We’ve achieved some justice for Ajike. My heart is a little lighter,” said Pamela Dias, Owens’ mother, outside the courthouse. “This has been a long journey to get to this stage, to get to this verdict. I find some peace with that verdict.”
State Attorney William Gladson, whose office prosecuted the case, described the verdict as a sobering reminder of the tragic 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,” Gladson said in a statement. “While today’s verdict can’t bring A.J. back, we hope it brings some measure of justice and peace to her family and friends.”
Lorincz showed no visible emotion when the verdict was announced, while Owens’ family members broke down in tears. Circuit Judge Robert W. Hodges has yet to set a sentencing date but has ordered a background report to be completed on Lorincz. Owens’ family attorney, Anthony Thomas, said they would push for the maximum prison sentence of 30 years.
The tragic case serves as yet another example of the deep-seated issues surrounding race, self-defense laws, and gun violence in the U.S., highlighting the lasting impact such incidents have on families and communities.