A Florida woman, Susan Lorincz, 60, was convicted of manslaughter on Friday for fatally shooting her Black neighbor, Ajike “AJ” Owens, during a dispute over Owens’ children playing outside. The all-white jury in Ocala, Florida, reached the verdict after two-and-a-half hours of deliberation.
The shooting occurred on June 2, 2023, amidst an ongoing feud between Lorincz and Owens, as reported by the New York Post. After the verdict was announced, Owens’ family broke into tears while Lorincz remained expressionless as deputies led her away.
“The defendant’s choices have left four young children without their mother, a loss that will be felt for the rest of their lives,” State Attorney William Gladson said in a statement. “While today’s verdict can’t bring AJ back, we hope it brings some measure of justice and peace to her family and friends.”
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During the trial, the jury was shown evidence that Lorincz shot Owens through her door using a .380-caliber handgun. Prosecutors argued that Lorincz fired out of anger over Owens’ four children playing in a shared grassy area between their homes.
Lorincz had reportedly complained for nearly three years that the children were harassing her. Lorincz’s defense attorneys argued that she acted in self-defense, claiming that the much larger and younger Owens, 35, aggressively banged on her door.
They asserted that Lorincz’s actions were justified under Florida’s “stand your ground” law, which permits the use of deadly force in self-defense. Owens had confronted Lorincz after her children reported that Lorincz threw roller skates and an umbrella at them due to their noisy play.
The two neighbors had clashed previously over similar issues. And in one 911 call, Lorincz had whinged, “I’m just sick of these children.”
Prosecutor Rich Buxman argued that the evidence showed Lorincz acted out of anger, not fear, when she shot Owens.
“It’s not a crime to bang on somebody’s door. It’s not a crime to yell,” Buxman said during closing arguments. “There was no imminent danger whatsoever when she fired that gun.”
Although Lorincz did not testify, the jury heard a recorded police interview where she claimed she never intended to harm Owens.
The case stirred controversy last year when it took police two weeks to charge Lorincz, and she was charged with manslaughter rather than the more severe second-degree murder, which could have led to a life sentence.
Lorincz now faces up to 30 years in prison. Her sentencing date has not yet been scheduled.
