OCALA, Fla. – A celebration of life was held for Ajike “AJ” Owens was shot and killed through the front door of her neighbor’s Ocala home during a neighborhood feud.
Family and friends gathered at the Immerse Church of Ocala on Saturday afternoon to honor Owens’ memory and rally support as they prepare for the upcoming trial of the woman accused of shooting the mother of four.
[EXCLUSIVE: Become a News 6 Insider (it’s FREE) | PINIT! Share your photos]
“It was our mother who encouraged us to keep dancing. We want her to know that we think about her day in and day out,” said Owens’ son, Israel Owens.
The family’s attorney, Anthony Thomas said the celebration gives the kids a brief moment to honor their mother before they testify in the upcoming the trial of their mother’s alleged killer Susan Lorincz.
Lorincz, 59, faces a manslaughter charge in the shooting death of Owens on June 2, 2023, following a monthslong dispute over where children were playing outside.
She was originally set to stand trial in November, but the defense saw her case pushed back to June 24 after asking for more time to schedule depositions. Jury selection is scheduled to begin on June 17.
“My hope is Susan is found guilty and she spends the remaining years of her life. At some point hopefully she’ll show some remorse for taking an innocent life,” Owens’ mother Pamela Dias said.
Lorincz faces a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison if convicted of manslaughter.
Get today’s headlines in minutes with Your Florida Daily: