Netflix’s The Perfect Neighbor Susan Lorincz makes damning statement from prison
Netflix's The Perfect Neighbor revisits the fatal shooting of AJ Owens, as her killer, Susan Lorincz, speaks out from prison while serving a lengthy sentence
Susan Lorincz, the Florida woman serving a 25-year sentence for the 2023 shooting death of her neighbor, Ajike "AJ" Owens, is speaking publicly for the first time since her conviction, following the release of the Netflix documentary The Perfect Neighbor.
The film, released this week, explores the escalating conflict between Lorincz and several families in her Ocala neighborhood, including Owens, a Black mother of four.
Using hours of police body camera footage, the documentary follows months of complaints, accusations, and law enforcement visits that ultimately led to a fatal confrontation. Lorincz, 59, was convicted of manslaughter in August 2024 and sentenced in November.
She is currently incarcerated at Homestead Correctional Institution in South Florida.
In a recent interview from prison, Lorincz described the shooting as a moment of panic and fear.
“I never saw the shot,” she said. “I was shaking and crying. It was horrible.”
The shooting occurred in June 2023 after Lorincz allegedly threw a skate at one of Owens’ children during a dispute about where neighborhood kids could play.
Owens later came to Lorincz’s door to confront her. Lorincz fired a single round through the closed door, striking Owens in the chest.
“She was pounding and screaming. I thought it was the sheriff at first,” Lorincz said.
“Then she said, ‘I’m gonna kill you,’ and I just... I was terrified.”
During the trial, Lorincz’s attorneys argued she feared for her life and acted in self-defense.
Prosecutors countered that her use of deadly force was unjustified, especially given that Owens never entered the home or posed an immediate threat.
In the interview, Lorincz repeated that she never intended to kill anyone.
“It just makes me sick,” she said. “I never thought in a million years this would happen. I did an apology to the family, and I’m still so sorry.”
Owens’ death drew national attention and sparked protests in Florida.
Civil rights advocates pointed to the case as an example of how “stand your ground” laws are applied unevenly.
The documentary has revived interest in the case.
Netflix describes The Perfect Neighbor as “a real-time look into a tragedy that could have been prevented.” The film is now streaming.
Click here to follow the Mirror US on Google News to stay up to date with all the latest news, sport, and entertainment stories.