A mom, above all

“AJ” Owens with members of her family. Submitted photo.

When a high-profile shooting takes place, we tend to frame the victim’s identity in the context of one horrible event.

But if you read through Ajike “AJ” Shantrell Owens’ public Facebook profile and comments by her coworkers, friends and family members, you’d learn that she was a devoted mother, someone who would regularly go out of her way to help her single-mom friends and neighbors; someone who endeavored to set a positive example, expressing warmth, compassion and positivity while building a healthy, spiritual life path for her and her children.

According to close friend Kimberly Robinson-Jones, Owens, who turned 35 on Jan. 13, didn’t get a chance to say one word to Susan Lorincz before when she was fatally shot through the neighbor’s closed door on June 2. Bystanders said that Lorincz verbally harassed Owens’ children and shouted racial epithets. Lorincz allegedly threw a rollerskate at Owens’ son while her children played in an outdoor common area, with the landlord’s permission, located next to the neighbor in an Ocala apartment complex.

On June 6, the Marion County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) took Lorincz, 58, into custody on charges of manslaughter with a firearm, culpable negligence, battery and two counts of assault.

Ben Crump, the attorney representing the Owens family, said Lorincz often directed racial slurs at Black children around the neighborhood and antagonized them to not play on the field near her home.

Sheriff Billy Woods initially framed the shooting as a “longtime neighborhood feud.” His office confirmed Owens was shot through the door. The MCSO report also shows Owens’ children — sons Isaac, 12 and Israel, 9; daughter Afrika, 7, and another son, Titus, 3 — were at the scene of the shooting when deputies arrived.

A mom with a “heart of gold”

Last week, War Cry 4 Peace hosted a vigil at Immerse Church of Ocala to raise money for Owens’ family, funds that would help with funeral arrangements and other expenses in the wake of her death.

At the vigil, Owens’ best friend, Velecia Woodyard, said she saw in Owens strength she’d never seen at such a young ago.

“This baby,” she said pointing to Israel, “is sitting here wiping my tears and he lost his mother, but that’s how she raised her children.”

Pamela Dias spoke to the media after her daughter’s death and said the daughter she grieved was “most of all, known for how much she loved and absolutely lived for her four children. To say she loved her children unconditionally is an understatement.”

Susan Castalanato, teacher and dean at Israel’s school, said Owens was one of the kindest women she met, “a beautiful mother.”

Ajike “AJ” Shantrell Owens. Submitted photo.

“If you know, you know …”

“IYKYK” or “if you know, you know” was a favorite catchphrase of Owens.

From her posts on social media, you get a sense that her children were the center of her world. In between sharing her opinions about the Black “Little Mermaid” (“Go see it”), people and Christian life lessons, she loved to share milestones and report cards, photos and videos of her kids saying funny and clever things that made her proud.

Last year, the cheerful mom posted on Facebook, “I can’t wait to pop popcorn and drink hot chocolate tonight while watching Hocus Pocus 2 with my littles!”

In Owens’ final Facebook post, she shared photos of her son Titus holding one of the frozen fruit juice cups — “Lilly Dillies” — that she had made and described with laughing emojis how word got around to all the neighborhood kids who got one too, and that her enterprising son Isaac suggested inviting the kids back and selling the Lilly Dillies with the Cash App.

On Titus’ third birthday, Owens wrote that, “Titus is a handful! He punks me daily, definitely keeps me running. He’s sweet when he wants to be. He’s mastered the art of ignoring people. He gives the most amazing hugs and occasional kisses! This boy is fearless; he thinks he can do everything his brothers do! Today we celebrate you, son.”

On Israel’s last birthday, she spoke proudly about her son. “His heart is big and pure; just don’t get him angry! If you know, you know: He’s the calm before the storm! I am so proud to be his mommy.”

A TikTok-like reel of Afrika was captioned, “And then there was the girl child….. If you know, you know….. #Afrika #MyOnlyGirl #AWilliams.”

The reel spotlights spunky daughter Afrika, wearing a light blue school uniform polo and smart hairstyle with meticulous corn rows and ponytails, accessorized with lavender and baby doodads. “My mama,” Afika declared, “she’s going to have me together! I’m drinking water, my grades are great; my attitude … we’re working on that!”

Afrika ends her announcement by flashing a peace sign with a sassy swing of her hip. Grandmother Dias described her as a “mini Ajike” to WESH News.

Owens has also posted about her “dreamer im​par​ta​tions,” the act of imparting knowledge or wisdom, and noted 1 Corinthians 317 and Joshua 1:8.

She posted self-affirmations and took pride in her selfies, showing off her pride in her appearance with perfectly applied eyeliner, lip gloss and long, sleek straightened hair. Reposted memes said, “The love I give, I never got in return! But I didn’t let it change me; I changed how I deal with ppl” and Talking Sèxuál Too Soon Really Be a Huge Turnoff To A Mature Woman.” Another repost said, “In order to save myself, I first had to destroy the me I was told to be. I am something new now!”

Through her posts, we encounter Owens as a bold, fun-loving, confident but sensitive woman. She gave regular shout-outs to her friends and offered words of encouragement to single moms. She also expressed anger at men who cheat on and mistreat their partners.

When encumbered by “low moments,” she was not afraid to show her vulnerability or offer up some candid reflections.

Family was a constant theme in Owens’ posts. One reposted meme said, “I come from a family where my first cousins grew up like brothers and sisters.”

Phyllis Wills, a neighbor, told MSNBC that Owens was an “amazing, great mom” to both her own children and Wills’ kids. Owens, Wills said, always went to work at McDonald’s on Highway 326, where she ran things as a manager, and came straight home to her kids.

“She would throw a football, not only with all of her children but all of the neighborhood kids, she encouraged my son Kingston to sign up for football and took him to football practice,” Wills said.

Owens also had a sense of humor too and loved engaging her Facebook friends in random silly questionnaires: Yay or nay on Nilla Wafers or which ice-cream truck treat was their favorite?

On the day after her birthday, Owens wrote, “Good morning I want to take a moment and say thank you to everyone who took time to wish me a Happy Birthday. Yesterday was filled with a few highs, quite a few lows and a few tears. Your wishes were definitely highs and they have given me a reason to smile this morning. I appreciate them all. Here’s to Chapter 35!”

A  GoFundMe campaign has been set up for the Owens family. Visit gofundme.com/f/Justice-for-Ajike-Owens.