The family of Ajike “AJ” Owens, a Black mother of four, is seeking the maximum penalty under the law for her neighbor, Susan Lorincz, a 60-year-old White woman who was found guilty of manslaughter with a weapon. The incident occurred during an ongoing dispute over children playing near Lorincz’s home in central Florida.
Lorincz is set to be sentenced in a Florida courtroom following the guilty verdict. State Attorney Bill Gladson’s office has stated that Lorincz could face up to 30 years in prison for the shooting that resulted in Owens’ death.
The jury’s decision to convict Lorincz of manslaughter was reached after she shot through her front door on June 2, 2023, killing Owens, who had been knocking on the door at the time. The trial brought attention to Florida’s Stand Your Ground law, which allows individuals to use deadly force in self-defense under certain circumstances.
During the trial, Lorincz did not testify but told police that she had previously argued with Owens over neighborhood children playing loudly near her home. She claimed to have felt threatened when Owens began banging on her door and yelling threats. Lorincz stated that she believed her life was in danger, prompting her to shoot Owens.
The defense argued that Lorincz acted out of fear for her safety and had no other option but to use deadly force. However, Prosecutor Rich Buxman contended that the threat to Lorincz’s life was not imminent at the time of the shooting, as Owens was outside the door and posed no immediate danger.
The sentencing hearing will determine the consequences Lorincz will face for her actions, with the victim’s family advocating for the maximum punishment allowed by law. The case has sparked debate over self-defense laws and the use of lethal force in situations of perceived threat.
