Arrest Made in Killing of Ajike Owens, Florida Woman Shot by Her Neighbor Through Closed Door

This publish was initially printed on Afro

An arrest has been made within the killing of a Florida Black girl, allegedly shot useless as she tried to deal with an altercation that occurred between her youngsters and a neighbor. 

“Now we have arrested 58-year-old Susan Lorincz for the killing of Ms. Ajike Owens,” introduced Marion County Sheriff Billy Woods. “My detectives have been working across the clock since this occurred– sifting by proof and interviewing witnesses.” 

Although Woods stated Owens deserves justice, in the identical breath, he stated it’d come slowly for the 35-year-old mom. 

“We wish the identical factor…and that’s justice. Now, right here’s the factor about justice– she’s on her personal time– not my time, not a prosecutor’s time, not even a mob’s time,” Woods advised reporters throughout a press convention that was live-streamed on the official Fb web page for the Marion County Sheriff’s Workplace.

The remarks have been in response to public outcry over the truth that Lorincz was not instantly arrested for the killing. 

“Lots of you have been struggling to grasp why there was not a direct arrest,” stated Woods. “The legal guidelines right here within the state of Florida are clear– I could not like them, I could not agree with them– nonetheless, these legal guidelines I’ll observe. Generally after we do investigations of instances of this degree, speeding in to make an arrest will not be the fitting factor to do. The truth is, it may in all probability trigger problems or trigger errors.” 

“We need to be sure that…that justice is served all over the courts, and that the person will get what they deserve. That’s one of many issues my detectives can’t full– an investigation with out getting all sides of a narrative. That evening, all we had was one particular person’s story–and that was the shooter’s story.” 

In response to info launched by the Marion County Sheriff’s Workplace (MCSO), the tragic capturing passed off on June 2 round 9 p.m. 

MCSO officers first obtained a trespassing name that requested help within the 1600 block of SW 107th Lane in Ocala, Fla. Whereas they have been responding, a second name for assist got here in a couple of capturing on the similar tackle. 

“When deputies arrived, they positioned Owens in entrance of Lorincz’s house, affected by a gunshot wound. Deputies rendered assist to Owens till Marion County Fireplace Rescue (MCFR) responded and transported her to HCA Florida Ocala Hospital, the place she in the end succumbed to her accidents,” reported MCSO, in a public assertion. 

An investigation started the identical evening and since that point, legislation enforcement officers have taken statements from witnesses to the killing, Lorincz and Owen’s youngsters. 

In response to MCSO, “the proof gathered throughout the investigation established that, over a time period, Lorincz had turn into offended at Owens’ youngsters, who have been enjoying in a discipline near her residence. On June 2, Lorincz engaged in an argument with the kids and was overheard yelling at them by a neighbor. Throughout this argument, Lorincz threw a curler skate at Owens’ 10-year-old son, putting the kid within the toe.”

The kid and one other sibling approached Lorincz, however she opened her door and commenced swinging an umbrella.

“The youngsters then went and advised their mom, Owens, about what had occurred. Owens approached Lorincz’s residence, knocked on the door a number of occasions, and demanded that Lorincz come outdoors,” based on stories from MCSO. “Lorincz then fired one shot by the door, putting Owens in her higher chest. On the time she was shot, Owens’ 10-year-old son was standing beside her.”

Lorincz instantly stated that the gunshot was discharged in self-defense, and that Owens was erratically beating on the doorway to the house as if she “had been making an attempt to interrupt down her door” earlier than a shot was fired.  

“Lorincz additionally claimed that Owens had come after her up to now and had beforehand attacked her. By means of their investigation – together with acquiring the statements of eyewitnesses who solely got here ahead as late as yesterday – detectives have been in a position to set up that Lorincz’s actions weren’t justifiable underneath Florida legislation,” stated the sheriff’s workplace. “Lorincz was arrested for manslaughter with a firearm, a first-degree felony punishable by 30 years imprisonment, in addition to culpable negligence, battery, and two counts of assault.”

Upon receiving questions on Florida’s “Stand Your Floor” legislation, Sheriff Woods stated he has no challenge with the legislation.

“Personally, I believe it’s an important legislation designed to assist Floridians defend themselves and hold themselves protected,” stated Woods. “Nonetheless, it doesn’t apply in all conditions. And this example is a main instance of when it was not justified.” 

“It was merely a killing.”

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