Florida woman sentenced to 25 years in prison for fatally shooting black neighbor

A woman who shot her neighbor in Florida, sparking racial tensions, has been convicted of the violent crime.

On Monday, November 25, Susan Lorincz was sentenced to 25 years in prison for involuntary manslaughter following the death of Ajike “AJ” Owens, according to CNN. The outlet reported that Owens’ family and prosecutors had requested that Lorincz receive the maximum sentence of 30 years.

“I stand before you to not only mourn the loss of my daughter, but also the loss of our hopes, our dreams and the future that we often talked about,” Owens’ mother, Pamela Dias, shared before the conviction. “Our mutual plans and promises as mother and daughter will never be revealed. They all died the night Susan Lorincz killed my daughter.

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

Pamela Dias, center, the mother of Ajike “AJ” Owen, arrives as mourners gather for a memorial service at Immerse Church in Ocala for Owens. Thursday, June 8, 2023, in Ocala, Florida. Owens was fatally shot by her neighbor Susan Lorincz last week when she showed up at his door. Lorincz was arrested Tuesday, June 6, and charged in the shooting.

Judge Robert Hodges described the crime as “highly aggravated manslaughter” but said the lack of a criminal history impacted his decision not to impose 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 said she feared for her life.

“I’m so sorry for taking AJ’s life. I never intended to kill her,” Lorincz told the court. According to CNN, Lorincz’s sister testified that when they were children, they were abused and were raised in a family with a history of drug 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’ children “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 manslaughter with a firearm, culpable negligence and two counts of assault.

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