Arrest Made in Shooting Death of Black Florida Mother
The Marion County Sheriff’s Office has arrested and charged Susan Louise Lorincz, 58, in the shooting death of Black Florida mother, Ajike “AJ” Owens. Authorities say Owens was shot and killed June 2 after knocking on a neighbor’s door. Lorincz, who is white, was taken into custody Tuesday on charges of manslaughter with a firearm, culpable negligence, battery and two counts of assault.
According to Marion County, Florida, Sheriff Billy Woods, deputies responded to a trespassing call Friday night. While responding to the call they found Owens suffering from a gunshot wound.
An incident report detailed that previously on the day of the shooting, the shooter threw a pair of skates at Owens’ children hitting the kids. The report added that the woman “engaged” with Owens.
According to a witness, an earlier dispute over a child’s electronic tablet led to the skates being thrown at the kids. When Owens children informed her of the interaction, the sheriff said Owens then went “to confront the lady.”An incident report details that Owens went to the home of the shooter and knocked on the door before she was shot through the door by the shooter. Owens, who was 35 years old, was later pronounced dead at a hospital, authorities said.
Owens mother, Pamela Dias, detailed in an additional news conference that the woman who shot Owens has called her daughter and her children racial slurs.
According to a news release from the sheriff’s office Lorincz claimed in an interview with authorities that she acted in self defense. Lorincz also said that Owens had been trying to break down her door prior to her discharging her firearm. The release states that Lorincz claimed Owens had come after her in the past and had previously attacked her.
“Through their investigation – including obtaining the statements of eyewitnesses who only came forward as late as yesterday – detectives were able to establish that Lorincz’s actions were not justifiable under Florida law,” the sheriff’s office said.
Stand Your Ground Consideration
According to CNN, Marion County’s sheriff said investigators had to consider Florida’s “stand your ground” law before making an arrest. The statute allows people to respond with deadly force if they reasonably believe they are being threatened with death or serious injury.
After her killing, Dias and Owens other family had been calling for an arrest. Tuesday, Sheriff Woods said he was grateful for their patience during the investigation.
“I also want to thank Ms. Owens’ family for their patience as we conducted the diligent investigation that we were bound by law to conduct,” Woods said. “As I go to bed tonight, I will be saying a prayer for Ms. Owens’ children and the rest of her family. I’d ask all of you to do the same.”
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