Susan Lorincz Guilty of Manslaughter in Neighbor's Death

Susan Lorincz, a 60-year-old white woman, was found guilty of manslaughter for the fatal shooting of her Black neighbor, Ajike 'AJ' Owens, through a closed door in June 2023. The all-white jury in Ocala, Florida, deliberated for 2½ hours before reaching the verdict, which could result in up to 30 years of imprisonment for Lorincz. The incident stemmed from a long-standing dispute over Owens' children playing outside near their homes. Lorincz claimed she acted in self-defense under Florida's 'Stand Your Ground' law, but prosecutors argued she was not in imminent danger and acted out of anger. Owens' family, who were present in court, expressed mixed feelings of relief and sorrow following the conviction. State Attorney William Gladson stated that while the verdict cannot bring Owens back, it provides some measure of justice for her family.