The Ocala woman pleads not guilty to the murder of neighbor Adjike “AJ” Owens.
Susan Lorintz is charged with manslaughter with a firearm and assault in connection with the June 2 fatal shooting.
OCALA, Florida. A white woman accused of firing a fatal front door shot that killed her black neighbor during an argument about kids playing outside has dropped the charge and pleaded not guilty in writing, CBS Miami reports.
Lorinets has been charged with manslaughter with a firearm and assault in connection with the June 2 fatal shooting. At the time, Adjike “AJ” Owens knocked on Lorinz’s door after a woman allegedly threw roller skates at children playing basketball nearby.
According to investigators, Lorints told investigators that Owens threatened to kill her and pounded on the door so hard that she was afraid Owens would break it. The sheriff’s report states that the woman fired a single shot from her .380 caliber pistol, which pierced the closed door and mortally wounded Owens.
According to Raiza Robles, press secretary for Florida’s Fifth Judicial District, Raiza Robles, Lorinz’s next trial date is likely to be in September, according to CBS Miami.
Arrested on June 7, a judge granted Lorinz $154,000 bail, ordering her to wear an ankle bracelet and stay away from the Owens family. She currently remains in prison. If found guilty, she faces up to 30 years in prison.
Lawyers, family and supporters of Owens have called for an increase in the charges, including second-degree manslaughter. The Owens family’s attorney, Anthony Thomas, told ABC News in a statement that the family was “deeply disappointed” by the allegations, the news outlet said. However, the family said, “Our resolve remains unwavering and we will continue to fight.”
“I’m very disappointed,” said Tiffany Bess, who helped organize demonstrations for A.J. Owens. “I am surprised? No.”
