Florida Woman Sentenced In Shooting Death Of Black Neighbor

A woman who shot her neighbor dead in Florida, provoking racial tensions, has been sentenced for the violent crime.

On Monday (Nov. 25), Susan Lorincz was sentenced to 25 years in prison for manslaughter in the death of Ajike “AJ’ Owens, according to CNN. The news outlet reported Owens’ family and prosecutors asked that Lorincz receive the maximum penalty of 30 years.

“I stand before you not only mourning the loss of my daughter, but also the loss of our hopes, dreams, and the future that we often spoke of,” shared Owens’ mother, Pamela Dias, before the sentencing. “Our plans and promises to one another as mother and daughter will never come to light. They all died the night Susan Lorincz killed my daughter.

The outlet reported Dias later said she was pleased with the sentence.

Judge Robert Hodges called the crime a “very aggravated manslaughter,” however asserted lack of a prior criminal history impacted his decision to not order the maximum sentence. Lorincz was convicted of manslaughter for shooting through her door in June 2023, killing Owens in front of two of her children. Lorinzc claimed she was in fear for her life.

“I am so sorry I took AJ’s life. I never intended to kill her,” shared Lorincz with the court. Per CNN, Lorincz’s sister testified that as children, they suffered abuse and were raised in a family with a history of addiction and mental illness.

Before the shooting, Owens allegedly knocked on Lorincz’s door to question her about an argument she had with her child, with Lorenzc firing shots. At the time, witnesses to the incident claimed that Lorincz called Owens’ kids “black slaves” during the ordeal. During her trial, Lorincz’s legal team argued she had no choice.

At the time of her arrest, Lorincz was charged with felony manslaughter with a firearm, culpable negligence, and two counts of assault.