Circuit Judge Robert Hodges sentenced 60-year-old Susan Lorincz to 25 years in prison on Nov. 25 for the manslaughter of Ajike “AJ” Owens. The sentencing followed a three-and-a-half-hour hearing where the court weighed emotional testimonies from both sides of the case, which drew national attention earlier this year.
Lorincz, who shot Owens, 34, through her closed door during a neighborhood dispute on June 2, 2023, faced the possibility of a 30-year sentence. The court rejected requests from the defense for leniency, citing the tragic consequences for Owens’ four children and the severity of the incident. However, Judge Hodges acknowledged Lorincz’s PTSD diagnosis and her lack of prior criminal history in determining the sentence.
The shooting stemmed from escalating tensions in the Quail Run apartment complex, where Lorincz repeatedly clashed with children playing near her home. Witnesses described the environment as fraught with racial undertones, culminating in a deadly confrontation after an argument involving Owens’ children.
Lorincz’s defense team argued that she acted in self-defense under Florida’s Stand Your Ground law, but a jury found her actions unjustified in August following three days of witness testimony.
Owens’ mother, Pamela Dais, delivered a powerful statement during the sentencing, describing the profound pain her family has endured. She shared how she had to leave her career to care for her grandchildren, who witnessed their mother’s death.
“They have a lifetime of scars and trauma after witnessing their mother shot and killed by Lorincz,” Dais told the court. She emphasized the emotional toll on the family, saying, “The void left cannot even be filled by their loving grandmother… I can’t even enjoy the role of grandparent because I have had to step into the role as parent.”
Lorincz, speaking publicly for the first time, expressed remorse during the hearing. “I am profoundly sorry,” she said, recounting her health struggles and fear leading up to the incident.
Witnesses for the defense painted a contrasting image of Lorincz, describing her as a kind and helpful individual active in her church and community. They cited her history of aiding others and her struggles with trauma stemming from a difficult childhood, including abuse from a prejudiced father. A forensic psychologist hired by the defense diagnosed Lorincz with PTSD, which the defense argued influenced her perception of the events leading to the shooting.
The case also brought national attention from activists such as Rev. Al Sharpton and attorney Ben Crump, who supported Owens’ family in the aftermath. Owens, remembered as a devoted mother, leaves behind four children—Isaac, 12; Israel, 9; Afrika, 8; and Titus, 3—who now live with their grandmother.
