Local Woman Charged with Manslaughter after Fatally Shooting Neighbor Who Knocked on Her Door
In a tragic turn of events, a woman named Ajike ‘AJ’ Owens was shot and killed in central Florida when she knocked on her neighbor’s door.
The incident occurred on June 2, 2023, when Susan Louise Lorincz, aged 58, reportedly opened fire from behind her front door, fatally wounding the 35-year-old victim in the upper chest with her then-10-year-old son standing beside her.
Following an investigation by the Marion County Sheriff’s Office, Susan Louise Lorincz was charged on June 6, 2023, with manslaughter with a firearm, culpable negligence, battery, and two counts of assault.
Sheriff Billy Woods stated in a video posted on Facebook that “the justice we have all been seeking has been served.” However, Ajike Owens’ family expressed disappointment at the delay in filing the charges against Lorincz.
The tragic incident stemmed from a dispute between Lorincz and AJ’s children, who were playing near Lorincz’s property.
According to reports, Lorincz engaged in an argument with the children, and things escalated when she allegedly threw a roller skate at AJ’s son, injuring him.
The situation further worsened when AJ approached Lorincz’s home, knocked on the door multiple times, and demanded that Lorincz come outside. In response, Lorincz fired a shot through the door, striking and fatally injuring Owens.
During a two-hour interrogation with detectives, Lorincz claimed that AJ had threatened her, but these claims were refuted by investigators.
The sheriff’s office concluded that Lorincz’s actions were not justified under Florida law, including the “stand your ground law,” which allows individuals to defend themselves in certain situations.
Despite this, Sheriff Woods defended the law but stated that it did not apply in this case, as it was simply a killing.
The trial for Susan Louise Lorincz is scheduled to begin on August 12, 2024, as she remains in police custody awaiting further legal proceedings.
Ajike Owens’ family continues to advocate for justice, highlighting the need for accountability in cases of unjustifiable violence.
