OCALA, FLORIDA: In a shocking incident that has ignited debates about race, self-defense, and the limits of the law, Susan Lorincz, a 58-year-old White woman, allegedly shot and killed her Vlack neighbor, Ajike "AJ" Owens, 35, following a longstanding dispute over neighborhood children. The distressing event took place on June 2, and bodycam footage released by the Marion County Sheriff's Office has shed light on the tense relationship between the two neighbors. The footage also features a police deputy referring to Lorincz as a "psycho," while Owens suggests mental health issues may be involved. On June 26, however, it was announced that Lorincz would not be charged with murder.
Who is Susan Lorincz?
The release of the bodycam footage has raised questions about the actions of both parties leading up to the fatal shooting. The videos reveal that Lorincz -- an insurance agent who has lived in the area for 15 years -- had frequently called the police to complain about children from the neighborhood playing near her apartment in Ocala. She expressed concerns about the noise level, stating, "When they come on the side here, I just can't hear my clients. That's not fair to me." Lorincz also accused Owens of throwing a "No Trespassing" sign at her and referred to herself as a "doctor" in need of a quiet environment. However, it was noted by responding officers that the rental apartment and its surroundings were not Lorincz's property, per CBS News.
Frustration among other neighbors was evident in the bodycam footage, with one describing Lorincz as "literally crazy" and expressing discontent over her tendency to involve the police whenever children played near her apartment. In response, a sheriff's deputy can be heard saying, "I'd rather kids be screaming because they're out here playing and having a good time than stealing cars and robbing people."
Confrontation ends in tragedy
Tragically, on the day of the incident, Owens approached Lorincz's property to confront her about an earlier alleged incident where Lorincz threw a rollerblade at one of Owens' children and damaged a tablet. Owens' 12-year-old son, who witnessed the confrontation, dialed 911 after his mother was shot by Lorincz through the front door. Owens was rushed to the hospital but succumbed to her injuries.
In a subsequent interview with the police, Lorincz admitted to firing a Remington 380 gun and revealed ownership of a 22 Ruger. She claimed to have purchased the firearm solely for self-defense following a prior altercation with Owens. Lorincz maintained that she felt her life was in mortal danger and that she had never intended to hit Owens, claiming she aimed high. The incident has brought Florida's controversial "stand-your-ground" law into focus once again, with Sheriff William Woods characterizing it as "simply a killing."
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The decision not to charge Lorincz with murder but instead with manslaughter has drawn criticism from Owens' family and their attorney, William Gladson. Gladson, while confirming that Lorincz would face manslaughter charges, acknowledged that there was "insufficient evidence" to prove she acted with a "depraved mind" required for a murder charge. The attorney stated, "Given the facts in this case, aiming a firearm at the door and pulling the trigger is legally insufficient to prove a depraved mind." He further expressed his commitment to seeking justice for Owens and her family, noting that manslaughter with a firearm is a first-degree felony carrying a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison.
Allegations of racial abuse
The bodycam footage and testimonies from other neighbors have also revealed allegations of racial abuse by Lorincz towards the children. Parents claim she would taunt the youngsters with slurs and wave firearms in their direction. Civil rights attorney Ben Crump, representing Owens' family, has called for an increase in the charges against Lorincz, including an additional case for racially abusing the children. Crump emphasized, "There's evidence there to increase the charges, especially when you think about what happened, with her harassing the children with racial epithets and profanity."
Susan Lorincz was arrested four days after the fatal incident and remains in Marion County Jail. Her defense attorney has yet to issue a public statement on the case. As the community grapples with the tragic loss of Ajike Owens and the complex legal implications surrounding the shooting, many are calling for a thorough examination of Florida's self-defense laws and the way they intersect with issues of race and community safety.
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