OCALA, Fla. − After an arrest in the fatal shooting of a Black mother, outrage turned to sorrow for the children who were apparently at the center of the neighborhood dispute, as new details emerged from interviews with the shooting suspect.
The death of Ajike “AJ” Shantrell Owens drew national attention as it put a new spotlight on race, gun violence and Florida’s controversial “stand your ground” law.
Owens, 35, leaves behind three boys and a girl, ages 3 to 12. The Marion County sheriff’s office said the shooting came during a dispute over Owens’ children playing outside, and after a more than 2-year feud between the neighbors.
At a news conference Wednesday, Pamela Dias talked about her daughter, and many gathered at the New St. John Missionary Baptist Church wiped away tears. “She was a heart of gold,” Dias said.
Dias said one of her grandsons feels guilty that he told his mother about an encounter with the neighbor, which led to the confrontation. Another blamed themself for not doing more to try and save their mom as she bled on the neighbor’s lawn.
![Pamela Dias, right, is hugged by a close friend during the press conference Wednesday. About 100 people gathered for a press conference with Civil Rights Attorney Ben Crump Wednesday afternoon, June 7, 2023 at the New St. John Missionary Baptist Church in Ocala, FL. An arrest was made late Tuesday, early Wednesday morning in the fatal shooting of Ajike "AJ" Shantrell Owens. Crump represents the family. Owens was shot while standing outside her neighbor's door the night of June 2 in Quail Run, located off County Road 475A in Ocala. Quail Run consist of single story duplex and quadraplex. Susan Louise Lorincz, 58, now faces charges of manslaughter with a firearm, culpable negligence, two counts of assault and battery. [Doug Engle/Ocala Star Banner]2023](https://www.usatoday.com/gcdn/presto/2023/06/07/NOSB/68f59350-1558-4195-866f-93d851cfab7f-OCA_BenCrumpPresser_03.JPG?width=660&height=576&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
“I pray for the strength, wisdom and ability to raise these children,” Dias said. “This is not fair.”
“Please do not let my daughter’s dying go in vain.”
After Owens’ death, Marion County Sheriff Billy Woods initially said Florida law restricted his office from making an arrest until they could be sure the shooting suspect ‒ who is white ‒ had no alternative to deadly force. National outcry and a local protest march followed.
The office announced an arrest just before midnight Tuesday. Sheriff’s detectives charged Owens’ neighbor, Susan Louise Lorincz, 58, with manslaughter with a firearm and a raft of other charges in the June 2 shooting.
At a Wednesday news conference, civil rights attorney Benjamin Crump, who is representing the family, said a funeral is scheduled for noon Monday at Immerse Church of Ocala. Rev. Al Sharpton will deliver the eulogy.
Sheriff:Woman arrested in fatal shooting of Black neighbor, a mother of four
Crump says arrest is ‘great relief’ for family
On Wednesday, Crump repeatedly shouted, “We want justice for AJ” to the crowd of about 100 people.
“It’s so important because we can’t have this message being sent … that it’s okay to shoot Black people in America for knocking on the door or ringing the doorbell,” Crump said. “It’s not okay.”
Crump said the arrest was “a great relief” for Owens’ family and friends, after waiting what he said felt like years. He made clear that an arrest does not mean justice is served.
“Don’t take it lightly or for granted,” Crump said.
To the children, Crump said it’s not their fault and “they did nothing wrong,” adding “they should not feel guilty.”
In a sign of the case’s national profile, Crump is representing Owen’s family along with attorney Anthony D. Thomas. Crump has represented several Black families who lost loved ones, including Breonna Taylor, George Floyd and Trayvon Martin. Martin’s death, like Owens’, shone a spotlight on Florida’s stand your ground laws.
Crump, who thanked State Attorney Bill Gladson and Sheriff Billy Woods for the arrest, called on the State Attorney’s Office to “zealously prosecute the killer of AJ Owens” and said he hopes charges are increased.
Otis Dias, Owens’ brother, thanked everyone for their support. A GoFundMe campaign has been set up for the Owens family and as of Wednesday afternoon, raised over $170,000.
Ralph Yarl, Kaylin Gillis:Shootings may renew debate about ‘stand your ground’ laws
Arrest report details Lorincz’s account of the shooting
Owens was killed June 2 in the Quail Run neighborhood in Ocala.
Lorincz’s arrest report states that neighbors were outside “screaming and yelling” while children were running around. She said she had a headache and went inside to lie down. She later got up, went outside, saw three boys playing and told them they were trespassing and to leave. She said that’s when they went to tell their mother, Owens.
Lorincz told the detective she has had problems with Owens and her children in the past. Crump, however, said Wednesday that it was more than a common neighborhood feud, but rather Lorincz antagonizing the kids.
Soon, according to the arrest report, Owens was banging on the door. Lorincz told investigators it was so loud that she thought her door would break. She said Owens threatened to kill her and was trying to get into her house. Lorincz said she feared for her life and fired one round from a handgun through her front door, striking Owens in the chest near her shoulder.
Lorincz said she never looked outside and assumed it was Owens because of her voice. Deputies recovered two handguns from Lorincz’s residence − a Ruger .22 caliber and a Remington .380-caliber.
Sheriff’s office officials said Lorincz regularly called and complained about the children trespassing on her property. They said the location where the children were was a common area.
Lorincz was taken to a local hospital for medical treatment and will make her first appearance once cleared.
Children tell police Lorincz threw tablet, skates before shooting
Several children were interviewed at a child welfare agency. Their names were not released by law enforcement officials.
One child said he was playing basketball with friends when Lorincz took a tablet from his brother, who was in a grassy area. When Lorincz was told to return the electronic device, he said she threw it on the ground and began yelling. Lorincz also threw skates at one of the children, who then went to get Owens, according to the arrest report.
One child said he went to Lorincz’s door and told her that if she wanted to throw something to throw it at him. He said Lorincz came outside swinging an umbrella in his direction.
![Civil Rights Attorney Ben Crump, right and Pamela Dias, center, the mother of Ajike "AJ" Shantrell Owens, make their way to the podium at the New St. John Missionary Baptist Church in Ocala, FL. About 100 people gathered for a press conference with Civil Rights Attorney Ben Crump Wednesday afternoon, June 7, 2023 at the New St. John Missionary Baptist Church in Ocala, FL. An arrest was made late Tuesday, early Wednesday morning in the fatal shooting of Ajike "AJ" Shantrell Owens. Crump represents the family. Owens was shot while standing outside her neighbor's door the night of June 2 in Quail Run, located off County Road 475A in Ocala. Quail Run consist of single story duplex and quadraplex. Susan Louise Lorincz, 58, now faces charges of manslaughter with a firearm, culpable negligence, two counts of assault and battery. [Doug Engle/Ocala Star Banner]2023](https://www.usatoday.com/gcdn/presto/2023/06/07/NOSB/f0cfe176-c938-4452-85fc-56730a0aab83-OCA_BenCrumpPresser_11.JPG?width=660&height=586&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
One child said he heard his mother yelling at the neighbor “don’t touch my son, throw something at me,” and pounding on the door. The boy said he heard a loud noise and saw his mother running from the patio area. He said she fell on the ground and heard her saying to “call 911.”
A second boy was interviewed said Lorincz cursed at the children after throwing the tablet on the ground, and told him to go get Owens. He said Lorincz often complained about the kids playing in an open lot. He said she regularly called them “bastards,” “jackasses” and once said “this isn’t the underground railroad slave.”
Detectives interviewed other neighbors who said Lorincz has threatened the children and used racial slurs at them.
The property owners have informed detectives that Lorincz will also be evicted from the residence.
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