Susan Lorincz was found guilty of killing her neighbor  Ajike “A.J.” Owens

A white Florida woman was convicted last Friday (August 10) of manslaughter in the fatal shooting of a Black neighbor after the jury rejected her claims that she fired through a metal door in self-defense amid a dispute over children playing outside her home.

The all-white jury in Ocala, Fla., found 60-year-old Susan Lorincz guilty after 2½ hours of deliberation. Lorincz faces up to 30 years in prison at sentencing.

She had claimed self-defense when she fired a single shot with a .380-caliber handgun through her front door on June 2, 2023, killing 35-year-old Ajike “A.J.” Owens.

The confrontation was the latest in a dispute between the two neighbors over Owens’ children playing in a grassy area near both of their houses.

Prosecutors said Owens had come to Lorincz’s home after Owens’ children complained that Lorincz had allegedly thrown roller skates and an umbrella at them amid a long-running annoyance at their boisterous play outside.

The family stated Monday that ‘they were at  peace with the verdict two weeks  ago  ago. “