Ajike ‘AJ’ Owens remembered ahead of trial
The mother of four died after being shot by a neighbor, who is charged with one count of manslaughter with a firearm and one count of assault and whose trial is set to begin later this month.
Attendees of a celebration of life for Ajike “AJ” Owens released balloons in her honor on Sunday, June 2, during the event in northwest Ocala. Her mother, Pamela Diaz is in the foreground at left, with Pastor Darrell Tolbert at right. [Photo by Andy Fillmore]
A celebration of life was held Sunday, June 2, in northwest Ocala for Ajike “A.J.” Owens, who died June 2, 2023, after she was shot by a neighbor through a locked front door following an altercation involving Owens’ children who played in an open lot nearby.
The gathering included moving testament from Owens’ children and her mother, Pamela Diaz, and a praise dance with the victim’s daughter.
Owens, 34, was the mother of four children: Isaac Williams ,12; Israel Owens, 9; Afrika Williams, 8; and Titus Owens, 3.
The celebration of life was held outside in the Attorney Charles Foreman Park & Recreation Complex adjacent to host Immerse Church on U.S. Highway 441 about five miles north of Ocala. It was conducted by members of War Cry 4 Peace, a community outreach group aimed at preventing gun violence. The gathering was organized by the victim’s family according to a press release,
A woman raises her arms during the Celebration of Life for Ajike “AJ” Owens at Meadowbrook Church in Ocala on June 12, 2023. Owens was killed on June 2 by neighbor Susan Lorincz who shot her through her closed door. Another celebration of life was held Sunday, June 2, 2024, in northwest Ocala. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2023.
“Justice for AJ” has been a cry echoed at Owens’ funeral service, which included national figures Rev. Al Sharpton and civil rights attorney Ben Crump, and at community gatherings.
Tolbert said, “racism still exists in the U.S. (and there is) unfairness and racism in Ocala.”
Diaz told the gathering that she lost her “daughter and first true friend,” who was a confidant and wise advisor to her.
“(Sometimes) I wondered who was the mother and who was the child,” Diaz said of Owens.
Diaz said her daughter “lives on” through her children and she hopes her daughter’s legacy will strengthen her friends and loved ones.
Owens’ brother, Otis Diaz, 28, sat next to Pamela Diaz to support his mother. He said he’s taking the family crisis “day to day” now.
Israel Owens said his mother was “gentle and kind, beautiful, and gave from the heart.”
“She’s the best (and) she’s with God,” he said.
Issac shared his feelings about his mother being proud of her children and Afrika joined in a praise dance dedicated to her mother.
Wanda Fulton with War Cry 4 Peace also served as a moderator for the event.
According to the Marion County Sheriff’s Office arrest affidavit, deputies responded at 8:54 p.m. on June 2, 2023, to an apartment complex in the 1600 block of Southwest 107th Lane after defendant Susan L. Lorincz, 59, called 911 stating juveniles, including three from “across the street” she had argued with about playing in an open field adjacent to her residence and allegedly threw a roller skate at one youth, came to her door and “threatened to beat her up.”
Lorincz, who is white, made racially offensive remarks, according to a witness, to at least one of Owens’ children during the altercation, the arrest affidavit stated.
Owens is Black.
Owens, whose residence was across a roadway from Lorincz’s apartment, was shot when she went to Lorincz’s front door accompanied by a juvenile son.
Lorincz called 911 and “advised a female tried to break down her door while yelling and that she shot through the door.”
Owens’ son called 911 at 9:04 p.m. stating “his mother had been shot and that she was only knocking on the door.”
Family, friends and supporters joined a celebration of the life of shooting victim Ajike “AJ” Owens on Sunday, June 2, in northwest Ocala. Owens’, mother, Pamela Diaz, is at center and her brother, Otis Diaz of Fort Lauderdale, is at far left, with Pastor Darrell Tolbert at right. [Photo by Andy Fillmore]
Thomas spoke before the celebration of life about the weight of waiting for Lorincz’s trial, which had been delayed, on Owens’ children and family and said they would like to see the trial conclude. Thomas indicated that Owens’ two eldest sons are witnesses. The family lawyers will look for a 35-year maximum sentence following a guilty verdict, he said.
Pre-trial proceedings will begin June 5, with Judge Robert Hodgest presiding. Jury selection is scheduled for June 17, according to county records.
Thomas said racial aspects of the case are important to the family and that filing for a federal hate crime is still an open subject.
Thomas commented on the “ups and downs” of birthdays and holidays during the wait.
William Gladson, 5th Circuit State Attorney, stated in a release on June 26, 2023, that Lorincz would be charged with one count of manslaughter with a firearm and one count of assault.
The release indicated “there is insufficient evidence to prove” the required element of “depraved mind” for a second-degree murder charge.
“Depraved mind requires evidence of hatred, spite, ill will or evil intent toward the victim at the time of the killing,” the release indicated.
Lorincz remains in the Marion County Jail on $151,000 bail.
Following the remarks and the praise dance, a release of purple and white balloons was done by attendees at the memorial event.
A friend of Owens’, Zywanda Bell, said AJ was “calm,” loving and respectful and her children were her whole world.”
When asked what her daughter would have thought of the celebration of life, Pamela Diaz said she would say, “All this for me?”
Support community journalism
The first goal of the Ocala Gazette is to deliver trustworthy local journalism so corruption, misinformation and abuse are not hidden from the public or unchallenged.
