State Attorney William Gladson has announced the filing of criminal charges against 58-year-old Susan Louise Lorincz in connection with the shooting death of her neighbor, Ajike “AJ” Owens.
Lorincz is accused of fatally shooting Owens through a door on Friday, June 2. In a statement that was released on Monday, June 26, Gladson advised that Lorincz has been charged with one count of manslaughter and one count of assault, and she is facing up to 30 years in prison if convicted on both charges.
On the night of the shooting, at approximately 9 p.m., Marion County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to the 1600 block of SW 107th Lane in Ocala. Upon arrival, deputies located Owens in front of Lorincz’s apartment.
Owens had sustained a gunshot wound, and deputies rendered aid until Marion County Fire Rescue arrived on scene. Owens was then transported to HCA Florida Ocala Hospital where she succumbed to her fatal injuries.
MCSO Major Crimes detectives responded to the scene of the shooting and launched an investigation. During that evening and the days that followed, detectives interviewed multiple witnesses, including the victim’s children. Lorincz was also interviewed by detectives.
In addition to the interviews, MCSO stated that detectives gathered forensic evidence, digital evidence, and surveillance footage that was obtained from various sources. Detectives also reviewed the details of “six to eight” prior incidents and calls for service involving both Lorincz and the victim.
According to MCSO, the evidence that was gathered during the investigation showed that Lorincz had become angry at the victim’s children over a period of time because they were playing in a field close to her home.
Shortly before the fatal shooting occurred, Lorincz engaged in an argument with the victim’s children, and a neighbor overheard Lorincz “yelling at them.” During this argument, MCSO stated that Lorincz threw a roller skate at the victim’s 9-year-old son.
After this incident, the victim’s 9-year-old son and his 12-year-old brother both approached Lorincz’s apartment to speak with her. When Lorincz opened her front door, she swung at the children with an umbrella, according to MCSO.
The two children returned home and told the victim what had happened. The victim then approached Lorincz’s home, knocked on the front door multiple times, and demanded that Lorincz come outside. MCSO stated that Lorincz proceeded to fire one shot through the door, which struck the victim in her upper chest. At the time of the fatal shooting, the victim’s 9-year-old son was standing nearby.
During an interview with detectives, Lorincz claimed that she had acted in self-defense. She stated that the victim had been “trying to break down her door” prior to the gunshot being fired. She further claimed that the victim had “come after her” in the past and had previously attacked her, according to MCSO.
Prior to the filing of charges against Lorincz, Gladson stated that his office carefully examined the viability of second-degree murder and manslaughter with a firearm charges, both of which are first-degree felonies.
“In order to prove the crime of second-degree murder, the State must prove beyond and to the exclusion of every reasonable doubt, the existence of a depraved mind toward the victim at the time of the killing,” stated Gladson.
Gladson elaborated that “depraved mind” requires evidence of “hatred, spite, ill will or evil intent toward the victim at the time of the killing.” He added that there is “insufficient evidence (in this case) to prove this specific and required element of second-degree murder.”
According to Gladson, the following charges against Lorincz were ultimately not filed: one count of misdemeanor assault, one count of misdemeanor culpable negligence, and one count of misdemeanor battery.
Gladson stated that sworn testimony provided by the victim’s son revealed that the skate that was thrown by Lorincz did not strike him. Additionally, sworn testimony provided by another child revealed that the child was not in fear during the encounter with Lorincz prior to the fatal shooting, and fear “is a required element of assault.”
Therefore, Gladson stated that the legal requirements to establish the crimes of battery and assault were not met, and those charges were not filed against Lorincz.
In addition, Gladson stated that the charge of misdemeanor culpable negligence was not filed because there was no evidence to establish that Lorincz knew the child was with his mother at the time of the shooting.
“I am aware of the desire of the family, and some community members, that the defendant be charged with second-degree murder,” stated Gladson. “My obligation as State Attorney is to follow the law in each case that I prosecute. I did so in this case, and while some may not agree with that decision, I can assure you that the decision was thoughtful and made without consideration of any factors other than the specific facts of this terrible crime.”
Lorincz is currently being held at Marion County Jail on $154,000 bond. She is scheduled to appear in court at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, July 11, according to jail records.