Current:Home > NewsTradeEdge Exchange:What we know about Ajike "AJ" Owens, the Florida mom fatally shot through a neighbor's door -FinanceMind
TradeEdge Exchange:What we know about Ajike "AJ" Owens, the Florida mom fatally shot through a neighbor's door
TradeEdge View
Date:2025-04-07 10:06:19
The TradeEdge Exchange35-year-old mother of four fatally shot through a door in Florida after a dispute with a neighbor is set to be laid to rest on Monday, lawyers for the family said Wednesday.
Ajike Owens, a single mother affectionately known as AJ, was killed on Friday in Ocala, a city about 80 miles north of Orlando. Officers on Tuesday arrested Susan Louise Lorincz, 58, in connection with Owens' death. She was taken into custody on charges of manslaughter with a firearm, culpable negligence, battery and two counts of assault, Marion County Sheriff Billy Woods said in a statement.
Owens and Lorincz had been engaged in a 2½-year dispute, Woods said. Deputies have responded about a half dozen times since January 2021 to calls concerning the ongoing "neighborhood feud." Lorincz was upset because Owens' children played in a field close to her home.
On the day of the deadly shooting, the children were playing in the field, according to the incident report. Lorincz allegedly threw a roller skate at Owens' 10-year-old son that hit him in his toe. Lorincz is also accused of swinging an umbrella at the boy and his older brother.
"Owens approached Lorincz's home, knocked on the door multiple times, and demanded that Lorincz come outside," the Marion County Sheriff's Office said. "Lorincz then fired one shot through the door, striking Owens in her upper chest. At the time she was shot, Owens' 10-year-old son was standing beside her."
Ben Crump, an attorney representing Owens' family, said it was a relief to tell Owens' children of the arrest.
"Today we get to share with her children and tried to make sure they understand that this senseless act of violence that killed their mother before their eyes was not their fault," Crump said.
Police on Monday said they had held off on the arrest while they determined what role the state's "stand your ground" laws might have played in the shooting.
Pamala Dias, Owens' mother, spoke out after her daughter's death.
"She had no weapon, she posed no imminent threat to anyone," Dias said at a press conference Monday.
Dias also organized a GoFundMe to help cover funeral costs and support Owens' four children. In the GoFundMe, Dias commemorated her daughter as someone with an infectious personality and a "smile that would light up the room."
"But most of all, she was known for how much she loved and absolutely lived for her four children," Dias wrote. "To say she loved her children unconditionally is an understatement."
Before her death, Owens worked as a manager in the hospitality industry, according to the GoFundMe. She also helped out as a "Team Mom" for her children's football and cheerleading teams.
"After being a devoted mother, she was a devoted friend that took friendships to heart," Dias wrote. "There wasn't anything that she wouldn't do for those near and dear to her heart. She often would give to other single mothers that were in similar situations that she'd been in."
She'll be eulogized at her funeral by Rev. Al Sharpton, according to Crump.
- In:
- Gun Violence
- Florida
- Crime
Aliza Chasan is a digital producer at 60 Minutes and CBS News.
TwitterveryGood! (7484)
Related
- Selena Gomez's "Weird Uncles" Steve Martin and Martin Short React to Her Engagement
- Fed holds rates steady as inflation eases, forecasts 3 cuts in 2024
- Andre Braugher, Brooklyn Nine-Nine and Homicide: Life on the Street actor, dies at age 61
- 'The Voice': Reba McEntire calls bottom 4 singer 'a star,' gives standing ovation
- Finally, good retirement news! Southwest pilots' plan is a bright spot, experts say
- NFL owners award Super Bowl 61, played in 2027, to Los Angeles and SoFi Stadium
- Parts of federal building in Detroit closed after elevated legionella bacteria levels found
- New Hampshire attorney general files second complaint against white nationalist group
- 'Most Whopper
- Oklahoma City voters approve sales tax for $900 million arena to keep NBA’s Thunder through 2050
Ranking
- Juan Soto praise of Mets' future a tough sight for Yankees, but World Series goal remains
- Kentucky woman seeking court approval for abortion learns her embryo has no cardiac activity
- How to Keep Your Hair Healthy All Year-Round, According to Dua Lipa's Stylist Jesus Guerrero
- Kishida says he regrets a ruling party funds scandal and will work on partial changes to his Cabinet
- Paula Abdul settles lawsuit with former 'So You Think You Can Dance' co
- Dick Nunis, who helped expand Disney’s theme park ambitions around the globe, dies at age 91
- NCAA survey of 23,000 student-athletes shows mental health concerns have lessened post-pandemic
- Albania’s Constitutional Court blocks Parliament’s ratification of deal with Italy on migrants
Recommendation
Which apps offer encrypted messaging? How to switch and what to know after feds’ warning
Mega Millions winning numbers for December 12 drawing: Jackpot at $20 million after big win
Lawsuits target Maine referendum aimed at curbing foreign influence in local elections
Harry Potter first edition found in bargain bin sells for $69,000 at auction
Selena Gomez engaged to Benny Blanco after 1 year together: 'Forever begins now'
13 reasons for Taylor Swift to celebrate her birthday
Travis Kelce defends Chiefs receivers, slams media for 'pointing fingers'
Tesla recalls nearly all vehicles sold in US to fix system that monitors drivers using Autopilot