“The Neighbor from Hell”: 20/20 Investigates Fatal Florida Shooting Over Neighborhood Dispute
A seemingly ordinary neighborhood in Ocala, Florida, turned tragic on June 2, 2023, when Ajike Owens, a 35-year-old single mother of four, was fatally shot by her neighbor, Susan Lorincz, in an incident that has since sparked national outrage. The case is the focus of the upcoming “20/20” episode, The Neighbor from Hell, airing Friday, April 3, at 9 p.m. ET on ABC and streaming on Hulu.
Owens’ mother, Pamela Dias of Atlanta, Georgia, recalled the moment she received the devastating news: “I’m told over the phone that my daughter has been killed. I cried. I screamed. I screamed.”
The conflict between Owens and Lorincz had escalated over more than a year. Neighbors described Lorincz as repeatedly calling police to complain about children playing near her home—a dispute dating back to February 2022. Owens’ son reported that Lorincz had yelled at him and even thrown roller skates at him, prompting Owens to confront her neighbor on the day of the shooting.
Body camera footage, dash cam video, and 911 audio obtained from the Marion County Sheriff’s Office paint a harrowing picture. Lorincz admitted to authorities that she shot through her locked door, fatally striking Owens while her nine-year-old son, Israel, stood nearby. Emergency responders and neighbors witnessed the aftermath, including Owens’ children screaming and attempting CPR.
The footage also documented disturbing behavior from Lorincz prior to the shooting. Several children alleged that Lorincz directed racial slurs and threats at them, a pattern corroborated in police reports and witness accounts. Neighbor Phyllis Wills’ daughter Nevaeh recalled being called the N-word and threatened if she entered Lorincz’s yard.
The case has drawn widespread national attention, highlighting the dangers of prolonged neighborhood disputes and prompting calls for justice. Dias emphasized the public’s response: “It told me that people understood the atrocity of this. It showed that people still care. People want justice.”
For additional insight, audiences can also listen to “20/20: The After Show” on the 20/20 podcast, hosted by co-anchor Deborah Roberts, offering behind-the-scenes discussion of each week’s episode.
