MARION COUNTY, Fla. – More than a thousand people from across the country gathered Monday at the Meadowbrook Church in Ocala to grieve and say their final goodbyes to the mother of four who was shot and killed by her neighbor.
Akije Owens, 35, was killed June 2 after going to the apartment of Susan Lorincz’s, who had yelled at Owens’ children as they played in a nearby lot. Lorincz was arrested days after the shooting on charges of manslaughter with a firearm, culpable negligence, battery and two counts of assault.
“I wouldn’t wish this hurt on anybody, to lose a sibling,” said Lawrence Collins, Owens’ brother.
Through song, tears and praise, many people came out to share encouraging words about the mother of four who many say loved helping others and gave her all to support her kids.
[RELATED: Who is Ajike Owens? Mother of 4 fatally shot by neighbor in Florida had ‘heart of gold’]
“Please don’t let our baby girl’s death go in vain, a change must come,” said Pamela Dias, Owens’ mother.
Loved ones, alongside family attorney Benjamin Crump, said they are seeking justice for AJ.
“We cannot let them kill our loved ones just for knocking on the door and loving our children while Black,” Crump said.
Civil rights activist, the Rev. Al Sharpton, delivered the eulogy at Owen’s funeral.
“Right is right and wrong is wrong and we got to stand together when there is wrong,” Sharpton said. “If a Black mom would have shot through the door at a white kid, you would have arrested her that night.”
Pastors and community leaders also announced that Owens’ kids will have their education covered if they choose to attend a historically Black college or university (HBCU) in Florida.
Owens’ funeral service comes days after a vigil in Ocala, where family and friends released purple balloons in her honor.
“If anyone knew Ajike, she would do anything. About Ajike, she will do whatever it takes to take care of her children,” a friend from Owens’ church said.
Pamela Dias, Owens’ mother, described her daughter as “full of life” and as having so much love for her children, who range in ages 3 to 12.
“She loved them with all her being. To know her is to know that her kids were everything,” she said.
A judge granted bond for Lorincz on Friday and set it to $154,000.
The sheriff’s office said when interviewed after her arrest, Lorincz claimed that she acted in self-defense and that Owens had been trying to break down her door prior to her shooting. Lorincz also claimed that Owens had come after her in the past and had previously attacked her. Through their investigation – including obtaining the statements of eyewitnesses – detectives were able to establish that Lorincz’s actions were not justifiable under Florida law, a statement from the Marion County Sheriff’s Office said.
Owens’ family attorney Anthony Thomas said the family is seeking Lorincz’s manslaughter charge be upgraded to a murder charge.
“Our work now and our focus is on the state attorney’s office whose told me that he will research a murder charge and that’s what we’re looking for,” Thomas said.
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