The family of Ajike “AJ” Owens is urging the U.S. Department of Justice to conduct an investigation into her death as a potential hate crime.
As per ABC News, the Owens family is requesting Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody to thoroughly review the June 2nd shooting. They are seeking a comprehensive examination of the incident in hopes of attaining justice and answers.
In a tragic incident, Owens’ neighbor, Susan Lorincz, fired shots through her front door, killing Owens in front of her 9-year-old son. According to Owens’ family, the incident occurred as Owens confronted Lorincz for reportedly attacking two of her children and using racial slurs against them. The situation escalated further when Lorincz was accused of taking one of the children’s tablets, which had been left behind in a field.
Lorincz was taken into custody on June 6th and is now facing a range of charges, including first-degree manslaughter. On July 10th, she entered a plea of not guilty to the charges. However, the Owens family is deeply dismayed and surprised that prosecutors did not pursue murder charges against her.
“It’s just awful, it’s a senseless murder. These children should never have to have gone through this,” Anthony Thomas, who’s representing the Owens family, said. “We feel as though a higher charge should have been brought other than manslaughter.”
Florida State Attorney Bill Gladson says the decision not to bring forward a murder charge in court was based on the assessment that there was “insufficient evidence” to support such a charge. While Lorincz is facing first-degree manslaughter charges, the evidence available to the prosecutors did not meet the criteria necessary to pursue a murder charge in this case.
Nevertheless, Lorincz remains in custody on a $150,000 bond.
