Shivangi Sinha
In June 2023, police received a report that Ajike Owens had been shot just outside her home. A beloved mother of four and a cherished member of her community, her death left investigators puzzled about what could have triggered such violence. However, as they began examining her interactions within the neighborhood, a deeper and more complex picture began to emerge. Netflix’s ‘The Perfect Neighbor’ delves into the case and uses bodycam footage and firsthand accounts to reconstruct the moments leading up to Owens’ death. It explores the underlying tensions that turned a quiet neighborhood into a scene of horror.
Ajike Owens Was Killed in the Neighborhood Where She Was Raising Her Kids
Ajike Shantrell Owens was born on January 13, 1988, in Broward County, Florida. Her childhood was somewhat unconventional, as she was raised by her mother, Pamela Dias, along with a close-knit circle of women she lovingly referred to as her family. Her grandparents, Chryste W. Adderson and Franklin “Bo” Adderson, her godmother Ida Collins, and her grandmother Sarah Boyle all played vital roles in shaping her values and teaching her life lessons. In 2006, Ajike or AJ graduated from Vanguard High School in Ocala, Florida, and went on to pursue higher education at the College of Central Florida and Hillsborough State College. She wanted to build a career in the food and hospitality industry. Ajike earned her ServSafe certification and went on to hold various positions across several restaurants and fast-food chains.
Ajike also found love and built a family with her 4 kids — Isaac Williams, Israel Owens, Afrika Williams, and Titus Owens. Although her romantic relationship with her partner eventually ended, the two remained committed co-parents. Ajike lived with her children in the Quail Run neighborhood in Marion County, Ocala, Florida, where she worked as the Head Guest Department Manager at a local McDonald’s. A devoted Christian, she created a warm, loving home for her family. On June 2, 2023, a 911 call alerted authorities to a shooting in the neighborhood. When police arrived, they found Ajike with a single gunshot wound to her upper chest. One of her sons was by her side, and soon neighbors had gathered at the scene. She was rushed to the hospital, but she was pronounced dead upon arrival.
Ajike Owens’ Killer Had Called Police to the Neighborhood Several Times
Before police reached the scene, two 911 calls had been placed just minutes apart. The first came from Susan Lorincz, who reported that kids were causing a ruckus outside her house and she was feeling frightened. She was told deputies would be sent immediately. Just two minutes later, Susan called again, this time admitting that she had fired a shot and urgently needed police to respond. Soon after, multiple neighbors also called to report the shooting. Records indicate that over the two years prior, starting in 2021, there had been numerous reports of disputes and skirmishes in the neighborhood, most of them initiated by Susan.
Susan had frequently complained about neighborhood children allegedly making noise, trespassing, and generally disturbing her. Other neighbors alleged that she often shouted at the kids and said mean things to them. On the evening of June 2, Ajike’s sons and some other children were playing in the street when Susan reportedly became upset. Per records, she came outside and allegedly proceeded to pick up a pair of roller skates and throw them at the children, injuring one of them in the foot. Court records state that she then grabbed an umbrella and swung it at the kids. One of the children, Isaac Williams, said he would go call his mother, to which Susan replied that he should. At that moment, Ajike arrived at the scene, and Susan had already retreated inside her home and bolted the door behind her.
Ajike Owens’ Killer’s Claim of Self-Defense Fell Through
Ajike Owens knocked on Susan Lorincz’s door and asked her to come outside, at which point Susan fired a shot from inside the house through the door, fatally striking Ajike. Her son, Isaac, was standing beside her and immediately raised the alarm, which a neighbor heard. Susan was quickly detained and taken to the police station, where she claimed she had fired the shot out of fear for her life. The incident caused an uproar in the community, with many demanding immediate arrest. During questioning, police asked whether she had read about Florida’s stand-your-ground laws before shooting, which she denied. Investigators also noted that only two minutes had passed between her first 911 call reporting the disturbance and the second call about the shooting. This raised questions about her claims of self-defense.
The fact that Susan shot Ajike through a closed door sparked significant questions about the racial dynamics of the crime. On June 7, 2023, Susan was arrested and charged with manslaughter with a firearm, culpable negligence, battery, and two counts of assault. About a year later, in August 2024, she was found guilty. Ajike’s family became vocal advocates, joining and supporting organizations aimed at reforming Florida’s Stand Your Ground laws. They also launched Standing In The Gap, a foundation providing financial assistance to families affected by racial violence. Ajike’s death prompted widespread discussion and has been widely regarded as a senseless and tragic act of violence.
