Florida woman convicted of fatally shooting neighbour through door

A woman who fatally shot her neighbour through her front door in June 2023 has been convicted of manslaughter by a Florida jury.

Susan Lorincz, 60, who is white, shot 35-year-old Ajike "AJ" Owens, who is black, as she knocked at Lorincz's door over a dispute about children playing outside.

Lawyers for Lorincz argued that she fired in self-defence. According to Owens' family and an arrest affidavit, Lorincz had shouted racial epithets at Owens' children prior to the shooting.

The incident came in the wake of a series of quarrels between the two women that had seen police called at least six times since January 2021.

Lorincz was inside her home when she opened fire with a handgun, striking Owens in the chest.

The incident is believed to have stemmed from an altercation earlier in the day in which Lorincz shouted at Owens' children and struck one of them with a pair of skates.

Prosecutors had argued that there was no immediate threat to Lorincz's safety when she fired through her locked metal door, knowing that Owens was on the other side.

Prosecutor Rich Buxman said the accused had acted with “utter disregard for the life of others".

“She pointed a loaded firearm towards a door, towards a person that she knew was there in the opposite side of the door and intentionally pulled the trigger. That shows a reckless disregard for human life,” he told jurors, according to CNN.

The all-white Florida jury reached its verdict after less than three hours of deliberations on Friday.

The trial lasted one week. Lorincz will be sentenced at a later date and faces up to 30 years in jail.

Owens' mother swiftly praised the ruling, according to reporters in court.

"Oh God, thank you, Jesus!" said Pamela Dias.

Owens leaves behind four children, ages four through 13.

Lorincz was arrested five days after the shooting, after investigators initially chose not to charge her due to a self-defence doctrine known as “stand your ground”.

Florida introduced a "stand your ground" law in 2005 which gives individuals a right to protect themselves with reasonable force - including deadly force - to prevent death or bodily harm.

Versions of stand your ground laws are in effect in at least 28 states.

State Attorney Bill Gladson issued a statement following the ruling on Friday, according to the Ocala Star Banner newspaper, saying: “This case has always been about getting justice for the victim and her children.”

“Cases involving self defense are often difficult because the jurors are asked to decide whether or not a particular person's response to a situation is reasonable under the law.”

"We are pleased with their decision and believe that, while nothing can bring AJ Owens back, this verdict holds her killer accountable,” he added.