Mom Shot by Racist Neighbor Seeking Justice

Ajike Owens, a working mother of four in Ocala, FL, was tragically shot and killed by her neighbor, Susan Lorincz, on June 2, 2023. The incident has been documented in the Oscar-nominated film "The Perfect Neighbor." Director Geeta Gandbhir, a personal acquaintance of Owens, highlighted the critical role of media attention in ensuring justice, noting that Lorincz was not immediately arrested.

Lorincz, 58, claimed self-defense under Florida's stand your ground law, stating she feared for her life when Owens approached her door. However, police materials revealed a pattern of harassment by Lorincz towards neighbors and their children. Gandbhir described Lorincz as weaponizing racism, privilege, and victimhood, aided by Florida's gun laws.

Owens' mother emphasized the differential treatment Lorincz received from police compared to how a person of color might have been treated. Despite fears that biases and stereotypes could affect the trial, Lorincz was convicted of manslaughter with a firearm. She received a 25-year prison sentence and is held at Homestead Correctional Institution in South Florida.

Pamela Dias, Owens' mother, is now raising her four grandchildren, who have been profoundly impacted by the loss of their mother. Dias described her daughter as a loving individual who worked hard for her family, asserting that her life mattered despite the violent circumstances of her death.