A Gun, a Grudge, and a Tragic Death: The Chilling Story of Susan Lorincz
What happens when a neighborhood dispute escalates into a fatal shooting? Netflix’s The Perfect Neighbor, released today, dives into the shocking case of Susan Lorincz, a Florida woman whose actions left a community reeling and sparked a national conversation about self-defense laws, racial tensions, and the consequences of unchecked aggression.
But here's where it gets controversial... Was this a clear-cut case of self-defense, or did Lorincz’s history of harassment and racial bias play a role in the tragic death of her Black neighbor, Ajike Owens? Let’s unpack the details and explore where Lorincz is now.
In 2023, Susan Lorincz, a 59-year-old Florida renter, had been terrorizing her neighbors for over two years. From shouting obscenities at children to making frequent 911 calls over minor issues like kids playing near her property, Lorincz’s behavior was far from neighborly. And this is the part most people miss... Despite being a renter herself, Lorincz seemed to believe she had the authority to dictate how others used their shared space. Her actions escalated in June 2023 when she accused a 10-year-old boy of trespassing and allegedly threw roller skates at him. When Ajike Owens, the boy’s mother, confronted Lorincz at her door, Lorincz shot Owens through the locked door, killing her.
Lorincz immediately called 911, claiming she feared for her life and that Owens had threatened to kill her. However, no witnesses corroborated Owens’ alleged threat. Lorincz attempted to use Florida’s controversial stand-your-ground law as her defense, a tactic famously employed by George Zimmerman in the 2012 killing of Trayvon Martin. While this initially prevented her arrest, an investigation led to her being charged with manslaughter, culpable negligence, battery, and assault five days later.
Directed by Geeta Gandbhir, The Perfect Neighbor relies heavily on police body camera footage, surveillance video, and detective interviews to tell the story. The documentary culminates in Lorincz’s trial, where an all-white jury found her guilty of manslaughter in August 2024. She was sentenced to 25 years in prison in November 2024 and is currently serving her time at Homestead Correctional Institution in South Florida.
But the story doesn’t end there... In a recent interview with a local ABC affiliate, Lorincz expressed remorse, stating, “I can’t take it back. I can’t replace her. I’m still so sorry.” However, she maintained her claim of self-defense, leaving many to question the sincerity of her apology. Director Gandbhir noted that while Lorincz is likely aware of the documentary, the team chose not to include her perspective, believing her actions spoke for themselves.
This case raises critical questions: Does stand-your-ground legislation protect the vulnerable, or does it empower those with malicious intent? How does race factor into these confrontations? And what responsibility do communities have in addressing toxic behavior before it turns deadly?
What do you think? Is Susan Lorincz a victim of circumstance, or does her history of harassment make her solely responsible for Ajike Owens’ death? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
