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Ocala
Friday, March 29, 2024

Mother shot and killed over neighborhood feud

A mother of four was shot and killed in Ocala on Friday night during a confrontation with one of her neighbors.

On Friday, June 2, at around 9 p.m., Marion County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to the 1600 block of SW 108th Lane in reference to a shooting. Upon arrival, deputies located an adult female victim, later identified as Ajike “AJ” Owens, who had been shot, according to MCSO.

Mother shot and killed over neighborhood feud
Ajike “AJ” Owens was fatally shot during a confrontation with her neighbor on June 2, 2023

The deputies rendered aid until paramedics arrived on scene, and the victim was transported to a local hospital where she was pronounced deceased.

On Monday afternoon, Marion County Sheriff Billy Woods held a press conference to address the status of the investigation. The sheriff advised that the victim and shooter were neighbors who had feuded over time.

Mother shot and killed over neighborhood feud 1
Marion County Sheriff Billy Woods discusses the shooting investigation during a press conference that was held on June 5, 2023

Since early 2021, Sheriff Woods stated that MCSO deputies had been called to the area “six to eight times” in reference to altercations between the victim and the shooter. These altercations, according to the sheriff, were often regarding the victim’s children.

On the night of the fatal shooting, Sheriff Woods stated that the shooter “engaged” with the victim’s children outside. The sheriff mentioned that investigators are still trying to figure out the details of what transpired between the shooter and the victim’s children prior to the shooting.

Shortly after engaging with the victim’s children, the shooter entered her residence, and one of the victim’s children returned home to inform the victim of what had just happened, according to the sheriff.

Sheriff Woods advised that the victim went to the shooter’s front door and a “very rapid” confrontation ensued. A gunshot was then fired through the door, and it fatally struck the victim.

“Here’s what I wish,” said Sheriff Woods. “I wish our shooter would have called us instead of taking actions into her own hands. I wish Ms. Owens would have called us in hopes we could’ve never got to the point in which we are here today.”

The name of the shooter has not been released by MCSO. Sheriff Woods stated that the shooter is cooperating with investigators and no arrest has been made at this time.

“Most states don’t have the Stand Your Ground law,” stated Sheriff Woods. “What a lot of people don’t understand is that law has specific instructions for us in law enforcement. And anytime that we think or perceive or believe that that might come into play, we cannot make an arrest.”

Sheriff Woods added that investigators must determine whether the deadly force in this case was justified or not before an arrest can be made.

The investigation is ongoing, and Sheriff Woods encourages anyone with information on this fatal shooting to call the Marion County Sheriff’s Office at 352-732-9111 to speak with detectives.