OCALA, Fla. — In a highly publicized case, Susan Lorincz, the Florida woman who fatally shot her neighbor, Ajike “AJ” Owens, through a closed door in June 2023, was found guilty of first-degree felony manslaughter on Friday. Lorincz now faces up to 30 years in prison.
The case, which attracted widespread attention, had the jury deliberating for two-and-a-half days before delivering the verdict. The trial centered on the tragic shooting of Owens, a Black mother of four, who was shot through the door of Lorincz’s home in Ocala on June 2, 2023.
Lorincz, a white woman, was accused of fatally shooting Owens while the latter was standing outside Lorincz’s home with her 10-year-old son. Owens had approached Lorincz to address a dispute regarding her children playing near Lorincz’s property.
Lorincz, arrested shortly after the incident, was charged with first-degree felony manslaughter. She pleaded not guilty and was held on a $150,000 bond. Prosecutors contended that Lorincz’s actions were unjustified, as Owens was unarmed and standing behind a locked door when she was shot.
Throughout the trial, both sides presented contrasting views. Prosecutors argued that Lorincz’s use of deadly force was unreasonable because there was no imminent danger. They highlighted that Owens had been banging on the door and calling for Lorincz to come out, but was not threatening physical harm at the time.
“Belief that there was an immediate or imminent danger, such that deadly force was necessary at that time, was simply unreasonable,” said state attorney Rich Buxman during his closing argument. “There was no imminent danger, and that’s critical in this case.”
On the other hand, Lorincz’s defense team argued that she had acted in self-defense. According to Lorincz’s attorney, Amanda Sizemore, Lorincz had feared for her life. “She reasonably believed that she was in danger. She heard Owens say she was going to kill her and thought that Owens was trying to break down her door,” Sizemore said.
The case also touched on issues related to the racial makeup of the jury, as the Owens family and their attorneys voiced concerns over the all-white jury selected for the trial. Ben Crump, a civil rights attorney representing Owens’ family, expressed disappointment about the lack of diversity but reiterated faith in the American justice system.
Despite these concerns, Crump emphasized the importance of justice for Owens, stating, “We must make sure that AJ Owens’ death is not in vain.”
The prosecution focused heavily on the 911 call made by Lorincz just before the shooting, in which she reported “trespassing” on her property. Owens, along with her children, had been playing outside when the argument escalated.
Testimony from neighbors, deputies, and forensic experts painted a detailed picture of the moments leading up to the fatal shooting. Lorincz’s former landlord, Charles Gabbard, testified about the condition of the door, noting that it was sturdy after being repaired. However, the defense insisted that the door was damaged and that Owens had threatened to break it down.
“The door cracked, and when I heard that crack, I fired,” Lorincz said during her testimony.
In addition to the murder charge, the jury found Lorincz guilty of manslaughter, noting that the shooting was an overreaction to a non-violent situation. Lorincz now faces a potential 30-year sentence.
Pamela Dias, the mother of Owens, expressed her determination to continue seeking justice for her daughter. “No matter the outcome, I am committed to honoring my daughter AJ’s memory,” she said.
While the trial was difficult for the family, they remain hopeful that the verdict will help bring some closure and send a message about the importance of accountability, especially in cases involving the use of deadly force.
As for Lorincz, the sentence, set for later this month, could have a significant impact on her life, as she faces decades behind bars for the fatal shooting of her neighbor.