Florida woman found guilty of manslaughter for shooting black mother through a closed door during a dispute over kids playing outside

A jury in Florida has found a woman guilty of manslaughter for the shooting death of Ajike “A.J.” Owens last year in Ocala, following a confrontation over a dispute involving Owens’ children playing outside.

The jury took just two hours and twenty–three minutes to reach a verdict against 60-year-old Susan Lorincz.

June 2023 shooting

Owens and Lorincz had an ongoing conflict regarding Owens’ children, who were reportedly playing loudly near Lorincz‘s residence at the time. On the night of the incident, Owens was seen banging on Lorincz‘s door and shouting after Lorincz allegedly threw roller skates and an umbrella at the children, as revealed in court testimony.

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Evidence presented in court confirmed that Lorincz did throw roller skates and an umbrella at the kids. She then fired a shot from her .380-caliber handgun through the door, striking Owens in the chest and resulting in her death.

Short manslaughter trial

The trial progressed quickly, with opening statements starting on Tuesday and evidence being presented, including the firearm that prosecutors claimed Lorincz used to kill Owens and items found at and around her neighbor‘s home.

Jurors were shown measurements from inside Lorincz‘s house, which prosecutors argued demonstrated that she was not in her kitchen when she fired the gun. Additionally, Lorincz‘s 911 call was played in court, with her defense attorneys arguing that she acted out of fear for her life when she discharged her weapon.

Lorincz could face a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison.