Susan Lorincz
Biography Summary
Name: Susan Lorincz
Incident Date: June 2, 2023
Location: Ocala, Florida, USA
Early Life & Background
Susan Lorincz was born in July 1964. She grew up in a family marked by trauma, including childhood abuse and mental-health challenges. These experiences reportedly led to a diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Years later, she moved into a residential neighborhood in Ocala, Florida, where she lived next door to Ajike “AJ” Owens, a woman with four children.
The Dispute & Shooting
Starting in early 2021, Lorincz’s neighbors and local police records show she made repeated complaints about children — including Owens’ children — playing or skating near her property. Tensions escalated over roughly two years, involving arguments, alleged harassment, and accusations of racial slurs.
On the evening of June 2, 2023, events culminated in tragedy: Owens came to Lorincz’s locked front door, reportedly after a dispute involving a roller skate thrown by Lorincz. From inside her home, Lorincz fired a single shot through the locked door, striking and killing Owens.
Lorincz claimed she acted in self-defense, asserting fear for her life; prosecutors and a jury concluded otherwise, determining the use of deadly force was unnecessary and unjustified.
Legal Outcome
- August 2024: Lorincz was found guilty of manslaughter.
- November 2024: She was sentenced to 25 years in prison.
- She was transferred to the Homestead Correctional Institution in South Florida.
- Her projected release date is April 8, 2048.
Significance & Cultural Impact
The case drew national and international attention for several reasons:
- It raised critical questions about self-defense laws, including Florida’s “stand your ground” statute.
- It highlighted issues of race, neighborhood conflict, and how seemingly minor disputes can rapidly escalate.
- It was documented in a Netflix documentary titled The Perfect Neighbor, which used body-cam footage and other evidence to probe what happened and why.
Key Facts Table
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Susan Lorincz |
| Birth Year | 1964 |
| Location of Incident | Ocala, Florida, USA |
| Victim | Ajike “AJ” Owens, mother of four |
| Crime | Shot and killed neighbor through locked door |
| Verdict | Guilty of manslaughter (Aug 2024) |
| Sentence | 25 years imprisonment (Nov 2024) |
| Release Date | April 8, 2048 (projected) |