White Florida woman charged in manslaughter shooting of her Black female neighbor
On Tuesday, June 6, Marion County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) Major Crimes Detective Ryan Stith arrested Susan Louise Lorincz, 58, for the killing of 35-year-old Ajike “AJ” Owens. Media reports were quick to point out that Lorincz is White and her victim, Owens, was Black – although there was no mention of hate crimes charges being brought against the shooter.
In addition to shooting and killing Ajike Owens, neighbor lady Susan Lorincz also had a history of violent interactions with Owens’ two young children.
Background: On June 2 at approximately 9:00 p.m., MCSO deputies were responding to a trespassing call in the 1600 block of SW 107th Lane in Ocala – when another call was received about a shooting at the same location. When deputies arrived, they located Owens in front of Lorincz’s apartment, suffering from a gunshot wound. Deputies rendered aid to Owens until Marion County Fire Rescue (MCFR) responded and transported her to HCA Florida Ocala Hospital, where she ultimately died from her injuries.
The Major Crimes Unit responded to begin their investigation. That night, and during the days that followed, interviews were conducted with the witnesses to the shooting, including Owen’s children, who were interviewed yesterday by forensic interviewers from Kimberly’s Center who specialize in interviewing children.
Lorincz was also interviewed by detectives. In addition to these interviews, detectives gathered and reviewed forensic evidence, digital evidence, and surveillance footage obtained from various sources. Detectives also reviewed details of prior incidents and calls for service involving Lorincz and Owens.
The evidence gathered during the investigation established that, over a period of time, Lorincz had become angry at Owens’ children, who were playing in a field close to her home. On June 2, Lorincz engaged in an argument with the children and was overhead yelling at them by a neighbor. During this argument, Lorincz threw a roller skate at Owens’ 10-year-old son, striking the child in the toe.
After this, when the child and his 12-year-old brother went to speak to Lorincz, she opened her door and swung at them with an umbrella. The children then went and told their mother, Owens, about what had happened. Owens approached Lorincz’s home, knocked on the door multiple times, and demanded that Lorincz come outside.
Lorincz then fired one shot through the door, striking Owens in her upper chest. At the time she was shot, Owens’ 10-year-old son was standing beside her. ~ MCSO
When interviewed, Lorincz claimed that she acted in self-defense and that Owens had been trying to break down her door prior to her discharging her firearm. Lorincz also claimed that Owens had come after her in the past and had previously attacked her.
Owens’ family has insisted that her killing was unjustified.
“My daughter, my grandchildren’s mother, was shot and killed with her 9-year-old son standing next to her,” Owens’ mother, Pamela Dias, said Monday. “She had no weapon, she posed no imminent threat to anyone.” ~ ABC-7 News
Through their investigation – including obtaining the statements of eyewitnesses who only came forward as late as yesterday – detectives were able to establish that Lorincz’s actions were not justifiable under Florida law.
Lorincz was arrested for Manslaughter with a Firearm, a first-degree felony punishable by 30 years imprisonment, as well as culpable negligence, battery, and two counts of assault.
Sheriff Billy Woods said, “I want to thank my detectives for working tirelessly to fully investigate this case. I also want to thank Ms. Owens’ family for their patience as we conducted the diligent investigation that we were bound by law to conduct.”
“Ms. Lorincz’s fate is now in the hands of the judicial system, which I trust will deliver justice in due course. As I go to bed tonight, I will be saying a prayer for Ms. Owens’ children and the rest of her family. I’d ask all of you to do the same.”
For more on the story, see the video accompanying this article.
(Source: Marion County Sheriff’s Office)
Posted by Richard Webster, Ace News Today / Follow Richard on Facebook, Twitter & Instagram
