Wrongful death lawsuit filed against Ocala neighbor who shot and killed mother of four

Attorneys representing the children of the late Ajike “A.J.” Owens have sued the woman responsible for shooting and killing their mother through a closed front door, citing a pattern of aggression and “gross negligence” that led to the fatal incident in 2023.

The wrongful death lawsuit was filed by Pamela Dias, as the duly-appointed personal representative of Owens’ estate, in the Fifth Judicial Circuit Court of Marion County on June 1 against Susan Lorincz, who is incarcerated for the next 25 years, and Charles Gabbard, who owns the property.

The lawsuit names Owens’ four children (Isaac, Israel, Afrika, and Titus), as potential beneficiaries of the recovery in the action.

Owens was shot and killed by Lorincz after she knocked on the neighbor’s door on June 2, 2023, in reference to an incident involving her children. Last August, Lorincz was found guilty of manslaughter by use a firearm. In November, she was sentenced to 25 years in federal prison in the case.

According to the complaint, Lorincz contacted the Marion County Sheriff’s Office with “erroneous allegations of battery, assault, trespass, and theft against” Owens and her children for several months prior to the fatal incident. In each instance, MCSO responded to the scene:

• In February 2022, Lorincz allegedly falsely reported that Owens and her children had trespassed onto her property and hit her with a sign.
• In August 2022, Lorincz again accused Owens and her children of trespassing and alleged that the children were “playing loudly” and their mother was yelling and screaming at Lorincz.
• In November 2022, Lorincz contacted MCSO to allege that Owens had stolen her mail and that the children were “throwing water bottles at her glass door.”
• In December 2022, Lorincz reported to MCSO that Owens threatened to “beat her and that the children threatened to kill her.”
• In April 2023, Lorincz alleged that Owens “attacked her, stole her mail, and that the children harassed her and attempted to put their dog in her truck.”

Just over a week before the fatal incident, on May 22, 2023, Lorincz went directly to the Marion County Sheriff’s Office and alleged that Owens had “attacked her, stole her mail, and that the children set fire to the ‘No Trespassing’ sign previously placed on the premises” by Gabbard.

The lawsuit accuses Gabbard of having known the “history of erroneous allegations made” to MCSO and that there was a “propensity for gross negligent conduct and/or intentional harm” by Lorincz.

“As a direct and proximate result of Lorincz’s gross negligence and/or intentional harm, Lorincz is liable to the estate of Owens, and its survivors and beneficiaries under the Florida WrongfulDeath Statute,” reads the complaint. It states that Owens’ children have suffered “past and future mental pain and suffering,” funeral arrangements, loss of their mothers’ earnings and other damages.

The lawsuit also accuses Gabbard of negligence as well, stating he had knowledge of Lorincz’s history of false allegations and accusations.

After the shooting in early June 2023, Sheriff Billy Woods divulged that his office had responded to disputes between the neighbors a half dozen times dating back to 2021. On June 26, 2023, Lorincz was charged with one count of manslaughter and one count of assault in connection with the fatal shooting. Lorincz pleaded not guilty to the charges in July 2023.

Attorneys are seeking damages in excess of $50,000 on behalf of Owens’ estate.

The fatal shooting of Owens made national headlines for months, with most media outlets focusing on the racial difference between the neighbors. A Netflix documentary was made about the incident, highlighting Florida’s “Stand Your Ground” provision.