Florida lady accused of fatally shooting her neighbour - a Black mother-of-four - was arrested on Tuesday on suspicion of manslaughter and different offences, authorities have confirmed.
Susan Louise Lorincz, 58, who's white, was arrested on fees of manslaughter with a firearm, culpable negligence, battery and two counts of assault within the demise of Ajike Owens, Sheriff Billy Woods of the Marion County Sheriff’s Office mentioned in an announcement.
Authorities got here beneath strain on Tuesday to arrest and cost Lorincz, who's accused of firing by her entrance her door on Friday night time, killing her neighbour in a case that has put Florida’s divisive “stand your ground” regulation again into the highlight.
Mr Woods mentioned that this was not a stand your floor case however “simply a killing.”
When interviewed, Lorincz claimed that she acted in self-defence and that Ms Owens had been making an attempt to interrupt down her door previous to her discharging her firearm.
Lorincz additionally claimed that Ms Owens, 35, had attacked her up to now.
Through their investigation - together with taking eyewitness statements - detectives have been in a position to set up that Lorincz’s actions weren't justifiable beneath Florida regulation, an announcement from the sheriff’s workplace mentioned.
About three dozen largely Black protesters gathered outdoors the Marion County Judicial Center to demand that the shooter be arrested within the nation’s newest flashpoint over race and gun violence.
The chief prosecutor, State Attorney William Gladson, met with the protesters and urged persistence whereas the investigation continues.
Mr Woods had mentioned Monday that detectives have been working with the State Attorney’s Office and needed to examine attainable self-defence claims earlier than they will transfer ahead with any attainable prison fees. The sheriff identified that due to the ‘stand your ground’ regulation he couldn't legally make an arrest except he may show the shooter didn't act in self-defence.
On Tuesday, a stuffed teddy bear and bouquets marked the realm close to the place Ms Owens was shot. Protesters chanted “No justice, no peace” and carried indicators saying: “Say her name Ajike Owens” and “it’s about us.”
The sheriff mentioned Ms Owens was shot moments after going to the condominium of Lorincz, who had yelled at Ms Owens’ youngsters as they performed in a close-by lot.
He additionally mentioned Lorincz had reportedly thrown a pair of skates that hit one of many youngsters.
Deputies responding to a trespassing name on the condominium Friday night time discovered Ms Owens affected by gunshot wounds. She later died in hospital.
Before the confrontation, Lorincz had been yelling racial slurs on the youngsters, in keeping with an announcement from civil rights lawyer Ben Crump, who's representing Ms Owens’ household.
He additionally represented Trayvon Martin’s household in 2012, when the Black teenager was killed in a case that drew worldwide consideration to the state’s stand your floor regulation.
The sheriff’s workplace hasn’t confirmed there have been slurs uttered or mentioned whether or not race was an element within the taking pictures.
In 2017, Florida lawmakers up to date the state’s self-defense statute to shift the burden of proof from an individual claiming self-defence to prosecutors. That means authorities need to rule out self-defence earlier than bringing fees. Before the change in regulation, prosecutors may cost somebody with a taking pictures, after which defence attorneys must current an affirmative protection for why their consumer shouldn’t be convicted.
Missouri and Florida are amongst about 30 states which have stand your floor legal guidelines.
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