Susan Lorincz, a 60-year-old Florida woman, has been sentenced to 25 years in prison for fatally shooting her Black neighbor, Ajike “A.J.” Owens, during a heated dispute in June 2023.
The incident, which unfolded in Ocala, Florida, stemmed from ongoing tensions over Owens’ children playing near Lorincz’s home.
On the night of the shooting, Owens, a 35-year-old mother of four, approached Susan Lorincz’s front door after her children reported that Lorincz had thrown objects, including roller skates and an umbrella, at them—a claim Lorincz denied.
Witnesses testified that A.J. Owens banged on the door and shouted, prompting Lorincz to fire a single shot through the door using her .380-caliber handgun.
Owens died from the injury.
Susan Lorincz claimed self-defense, stating she was “terrified” of Ajike “A.J.” Owens and alleging she had faced harassment during her three years in the neighborhood.
However, prosecutors argued that the shooting was fueled by anger rather than fear, a sentiment echoed by Circuit Judge Robert Hodges during sentencing.
“The shooting was completely unnecessary,” Judge Hodges said. “This act inflicted significant harm, especially on the victim’s children, who will grow up without their mother.”
The tragic killing left Owens’ family devastated.
Her mother, Pamela Dias, now the primary caregiver for Owens’ four children, described their pain in court.
“There’s a hole in our hearts that will never mend,” Dias said. “Susan destroyed our family.”
Lorincz apologized during sentencing, expressing remorse for Owens’ death. “I so wish I could go back and change things,” she said.
Despite her claims of mental health struggles and childhood trauma, Judge Hodges declined a reduced sentence, citing the profound impact of Owens’ death on her children.
The case drew national attention, particularly from Ocala’s Black community, where protests erupted over the weeks-long delay in charging Susan Lorincz.
Many criticized the decision to charge her with manslaughter instead of second-degree murder, which carries a life sentence.
While the sentence brings some closure, the aftermath of this senseless act continues to ripple through the lives of Owens’ children and the broader community.
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