A white Florida woman, Susan Lorincz, 60, faces sentencing on Monday for the manslaughter of her Black neighbor, Ajike “A.J.” Owens, 35. The fatal shooting followed years of escalating tensions over neighborhood disputes in Ocala, Florida, a case that has drawn national attention.
Dispute Escalates to Tragedy
The June 2023 incident occurred after Owens confronted Lorincz over claims that Lorincz had thrown objects, including roller skates, at Owens’ children. Witnesses and testimony revealed that Owens banged on Lorincz’s door, yelling at her to come outside. In response, Lorincz fired a single shot through the closed door using her .380-caliber handgun, killing Owens.
While Lorincz claimed self-defense, jurors rejected her assertion, finding her guilty of manslaughter in August.
A Community Divided
The case sparked protests in Ocala’s Black community, with criticism directed at prosecutors for taking weeks to file charges and for pursuing manslaughter rather than second-degree murder. Marion County, where the case unfolded, has a Black population of about 12%, according to census data.
Owens’ mother, Pamela Dias, expressed hope for a maximum sentence, “While the pain of losing Ajike is immense, we are hopeful that justice will prevail and that the court will give Susan Lorincz the maximum penalty for her actions.”
Lorincz faces up to 30 years in state prison because a firearm was used in the crime.
Defense Seeks Leniency
Lorincz’s attorney, Assistant Public Defender Amanda Sizemore, has argued for a more lenient sentence, requesting less than the state’s minimum 11.5 years. Sizemore cited Lorincz’s mental health struggles and claimed that Owens acted as the aggressor during the confrontation.
In her statement to detectives, Lorincz claimed to have been “harassed” during her three years in the neighborhood and described fearing for her life during the altercation. “I thought I was in imminent danger,” Lorincz said in a videotaped interview.
Awaiting Justice
The court’s decision will determine whether Lorincz receives the maximum sentence or a more lenient punishment. Owens’ family and supporters have vowed to keep her legacy alive through advocacy for her children and calls for systemic changes.
