Ajke “Aj” Ownes crossed the street to confront her neighbor, Susan Lorincz, who threw skates at Owen’s son playing in the grassy area near both houses.

The two women shouted at each other through Lorincz’s locked door. As the argument grew more heated, Lorincz pulled out a gun and shot Owens through the door. Lorincz told police she ‘feared for her life.’

Initially, police accepted her explanation, thinking it was consistent with Florida’s “Stand Your Ground Law.” 

Police changed their minds about allowing Lorincz to hide behind the law. The deadly shooting occurred on June 2, 2023.

On November 25, Marion County, Florida Judge Circuit Robert Hodges ruled that Lorincz, 60, did “significant harm” to the victim and her family.

“I find that the shooting was completely unnecessary,” the judge said. “In this case, Ms. Lorincz was behind a locked door.”b

Lorincz was charged with manslaughter and sentenced to 25 years in prison after an all-White jury found her guilty of murdering Owens. 

Officials said there was an ongoing dispute centered on where Owens’ four children played. Prosecutors said Owens started pounding on Lorincz’s door after she threw roller skates and an umbrella at her children.

While the defense argued self-defense, prosecutors argued that there was no evidence to support that Lorenz’s life was in immediate danger.

“The outcome of this trial reflects our commitment to justice and the integrity of our legal system,” said Bill Gladson, Fifth Judicial Circuit State Attorney, in a statement. 

”While we understand that many cases can attract diverse opinions, our office will always focus on the facts and the law. This conviction is a testament to the hard work of our team and our dedication to standing up for victims.”

Owens stormed over Lorincz’s rental house after she threw a pair of skates, hitting her 10-year-old son in the head. 

Owens pounded on the front door to talk to Lorincz and that’s when she pulled a gun and shot Owens through the door as her 10-year-old son screamed. Owens was the mother of four children. She was 34 when she was murdered.