Susan Lorincz Sentenced: Justice Served in Tragic Florida Shooting of Ajike Owens

In a case that has captured national attention and reignited crucial conversations about gun violence, racial justice, and Stand Your Ground laws, Susan Lorincz was sentenced to 25 years in prison for the fatal shooting of her neighbor, Ajike "AJ" Owens. The tragic incident occurred on June 2, 2023, in Ocala, Florida, when Lorincz fired a single shot through her locked front door, killing the 35-year-old mother of four. This shocking update brings a measure of closure to a family devastated by loss, while highlighting ongoing issues of racial tension and gun violence in America.

Table of Contents

• What Happened That Fateful Night
• Remembering Ajike "AJ" Owens
• A History of Conflict and Harassment
• The Trial and Guilty Verdict
• Sentencing: 25 Years Behind Bars
• The Family's Journey Toward Healing
• Netflix Documentary Sheds New Light
• Frequently Asked Questions

What Happened That Fateful Night

The events of June 2, 2023, began with a dispute involving neighborhood children playing in a field near Susan Lorincz's home. According to witness accounts and the arrest affidavit, Lorincz became agitated with Owens' children and allegedly threw a roller skate that struck one of the boys in the toe. When Owens' sons approached Lorincz's door to confront her about the incident, she reportedly swung an umbrella at them.

Ajike Owens, upon learning what had transpired, went to Lorincz's apartment to address the situation directly. She knocked on the door multiple times, demanding that Lorincz come outside to discuss the matter. However, instead of opening the door or waiting for law enforcement—whom Lorincz had already called—the 58-year-old woman retrieved a .380-caliber handgun and fired a single shot through her locked metal door.

The bullet struck Owens in the upper chest as her 10-year-old son stood beside her. She stumbled from the porch, called for someone to dial 911, and then collapsed. Despite immediate medical attention, Owens passed away from her injuries, leaving behind four children aged 3 to 12 years old who would now have to navigate life without their mother.

Remembering Ajike "AJ" Owens

Ajike "AJ" Shantrell Owens was far more than a tragic headline. She was a devoted single mother whose entire world revolved around her four children: Isaac, Afrika, Titus, and Israel. Those who knew her described her as a vibrant, joyful woman who worked tirelessly as a restaurant manager to provide a better life for her family.

Owens was known in her community as "the football mom" and "supermom," serving as Team Mom for her children's sports teams. Her mother, Pamela Dias, recalls conversations where AJ would say, "One day the world will know my name." Tragically, that prophecy came true in the worst possible way, but her legacy continues to inspire change and advocacy for gun reform and racial justice.

A History of Conflict and Harassment

The fatal shooting was not an isolated incident but rather the tragic culmination of years of tension. According to the Marion County Sheriff's Office, Lorincz had been complaining about and calling 911 on Owens' children since January 2021—a pattern involving six to eight separate incidents over more than two years.

Multiple neighbors told authorities that Lorincz had a troubling history of harassing children in the area. Phyllis Wills, a longtime resident, stated: "Everybody in this neighborhood has feuded with this lady over our children. Every time they've went even in the patch of grass over there, she would be like, 'Get off of my lawn, you b---- or you retards or you N-word.'" The arrest affidavit confirmed that Lorincz admitted to using racial slurs toward the children in the past.

Neighbors also reported that Lorincz would record children with her phone as they played, falsely believing the public field between apartment buildings belonged to her. Some witnesses claimed she had previously waved guns at children to intimidate them.

The Trial and Guilty Verdict

Susan Lorincz's trial took place in August 2024 at Marion County Circuit Court. She claimed her actions were justified self-defense under Florida's Stand Your Ground law, arguing that she feared for her life when Owens knocked on her door. However, prosecutors successfully argued that Owens posed no imminent threat and presented no evidence suggesting she was attempting to break through the locked door.

On August 16, 2024, a six-person jury found Lorincz guilty of manslaughter with a firearm. As the verdict was read, Lorincz appeared emotionless while across the courtroom, Owens' family members wept and cried out, "Oh, God. Thank you, Jesus." The conviction marked a crucial step toward accountability in a case that had sparked outrage and demands for justice across the nation.

Sentencing: 25 Years Behind Bars

On November 25, 2024, Marion County Circuit Judge Robert Hodges sentenced Susan Lorincz to 25 years in prison. In his remarks, Judge Hodges called the shooting "completely unnecessary," emphasizing that Lorincz was behind a locked door with law enforcement already en route when she chose to retrieve her gun and fire.

"In this case, Ms. Lorincz was behind the door. The door was locked. She had already called law enforcement. They were en route. She knew they were en route," Judge Hodges stated. "She was in a relatively safe position. For some reason, she went into her room and found a gun."

While acknowledging that Lorincz was a victim of childhood sexual abuse and had no prior criminal record, the judge noted the tremendous harm inflicted upon the Owens family. At sentencing, Lorincz expressed regret, saying, "I am so sorry. I never intended to kill her. I am just profoundly sad." However, Pamela Dias later characterized the apology as "a last-ditch attempt to save herself," stating it wasn't sincere.

Lorincz, now 61, is currently serving her sentence at Homestead Correctional Institution in Miami-Dade County, with a release date set for April 8, 2048.

The Family's Journey Toward Healing

For Pamela Dias and her four grandchildren, the pain of losing AJ continues daily. "Our pain and suffering didn't end when Susan was found guilty of manslaughter. Our pain and suffering won't end with today's sentencing. Our pain and suffering will last a lifetime," Dias said during the sentencing hearing.

The children, who witnessed or were present during their mother's death, now live with their grandmother in a new home far from the scene of the tragedy. According to family attorney Anthony D. Thomas, the psychological effects remain profound, and the family takes things day by day while trying to help the children cope with life without their mother.

In response to their trauma, Dias and Takema Robinson founded the Standing in the Gap Fund, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting families impacted by gun and racial violence. The organization provides rapid-response grants to families after gun attacks and advocates for legislative changes, including challenging Stand Your Ground laws that have been linked to increased homicide rates.

"What began as a response to unimaginable tragedy has grown into a movement for justice, healing and collective care," Robinson explained. The fund aims to begin providing grants to families and political organizers by 2027, transforming grief into meaningful action and community support.

Netflix Documentary Sheds New Light

On October 17, 2025, Netflix released "The Perfect Neighbor," a documentary examining the case through police bodycam footage, 911 calls, and detective interviews. The film's title comes from Lorincz's own description of herself during interrogations, a stark contrast to the accounts provided by her neighbors.

Director Geeta Gandbhir, who was family friends with Owens, created the documentary to "transform grief into purpose and honor the lasting legacy of Ajike Owens and her family." The hour-and-a-half film has brought renewed attention to the case and sparked fresh conversations about racial justice, gun violence, and Stand Your Ground laws in America.

Frequently Asked Questions

A Legacy of Change and Hope

While justice has been served in the legal sense with Susan Lorincz's conviction and sentencing, Pamela Dias reminds us that true justice would have been preventing this tragedy from happening in the first place. "Justice would be this never happening from the get-go. Justice would be eradicating racism. Justice would be proper gun-reform laws," she stated on the one-year anniversary of her daughter's death.

Ajike Owens once told her mother that one day the world would know her name. While the circumstances are heartbreaking, AJ's legacy now represents a call to action for meaningful change in gun laws, racial justice, and community safety. Her story serves as a powerful reminder that behind every statistic about gun violence is a real person—a mother, daughter, and friend whose absence leaves an irreplaceable void.

As firearms continue to claim lives across America—with more than 11,000 people killed by guns so far this year according to the Gun Violence Archive—the Owens family's message remains clear: "When we stand together, we heal together." Their work through the Standing in the Gap Fund ensures that AJ's legacy will be one not just of tragedy, but of transformation, hope, and lasting positive change.