Deputies from the Marion County Sheriff’s Office were called to the Ocala, Florida, home of Susan Lorincz on June 2, 2023. The woman alleged that her neighbor, Ajike “AJ” Owens, was trying to attack her and that her life was in danger. Owens, a mom of four, was at Lorincz’s home to confront her after she allegedly threw roller skates at Owens’ children. Instead of opening her door to confront the mother, Lorincz got her gun and fired a single shot, killing Owens. She was later convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to 25 years in jail.
The killing and trial later became the subject of the Netflix documentary The Perfect Neighbor, which is now nominated for an Academy Award and can be viewed on the streaming service.
In June 2025, Owens’ mother, Pamela Dias, filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Susan Lorincz and the man who owned the quadplex where they lived, Newsweek reported. She is asking for damages exceeding $50,000 on behalf of Owens’ estate.
Dias is seeking compensation for medical expenses and funeral costs, loss of Owens’ future earnings and inheritable estate, and past and future mental pain and suffering for Owens’ minor children.
To the dismay of many, Lorincz announced plans to file a countersuit in November 2025, the magazine reported. She named Dias, three of Owens’ children, and her former landlord in the suit, which asks for damages exceeding $50,000.
In her letter, Lorincz said she is filing for “slander, libel and defamation of character,” Fox 13 reported. She also claimed that Owens and her children were told by the Marion County Sheriff’s Office to stay off her property.
“Ajike and her children were tresspassing,” Lorincz wrote. “There were multiple ‘no tresspassing signs’ on the property.”
She also accused the children, who are all minors, of making up stories during their depositions. Additionally, Lorincz claimed the children were playing Ding Dong Ditch, knocking on her door and then running away. Because, you know … that’s an excuse to kill someone.
Charles Gabbard, Lorincz’s landlord, said he did not contribute to the suffering of Owens’ family. He claims Owens’ injuries “are the proximate cause of Ajike S. Owens’ own negligence,” the Ocala Gazette reported.
“Ajike S. Owens contributed to the happening of the incident, so that the negligence of the parties, if any, must be compared,” he added.
Shortly after receiving Dias’ complaint, Gabbard proposed a settlement, which has not been disclosed to the public. A deposition of Dias was scheduled for January 21, 2026, but no results have been shared publicly. No filings have been made by Lorincz since she disclosed her intention to sue.
