Nationwide — Susan Lorincz, a white woman from Florida, was sentenced to 25 years in prison for fatally shooting her Black neighbor and a mother of 4, Ajike “AJ” Owens, in 2023. The incident sparked national outrage over racism and gun violence.
According to The New York Times, Lorincz, who is 60 years old, shot 35-year-old Owens from inside her home after Owens went to confront her about how Lorincz treated her children, who had been playing outside their home. Owens was shot through Lorincz’s locked front door, with the bullet striking her chest.
Lorincz claimed she acted in self-defense, but there was no weapon found on Owens. The jury rejected Lorincz’s claim, and Judge Robert Hodges called the shooting “totally unnecessary,” noting that Lorincz had time to contact authorities and wasn’t in immediate danger.
“The shooting, I find, was based more in anger than in fear,” Judge Hodges said.
During the trial, Lorincz’s defense cited Florida’s “Stand Your Ground” law, which allows the use of deadly force if someone feels threatened. The jury, however, deliberated for just 30 minutes before convicting her of manslaughter.
Owens’ family, along with the state, pushed for the maximum sentence, emphasizing the gravity of the crime.
“Ajike was a beloved mother, daughter, and friend whose life was tragically cut short,” Owens’ mother, Pamela Dias, said in a statement. “While no outcome can bring back our Ajike, we are grateful for the continued support that has fortified us in our search for justice.”
Source: BlackNews.com
