Neighbor's Fear Leads to Fatal Shooting

0:00On March 14th, here's the latest in entertainment and celebrity news. On June 2nd, 2023, in Ocala, Florida, 35-year-old mother Ajike Owens was shot and killed by her neighbor, Susan Lawrence, through a closed front door. The single gunshot hit Owens in the chest and she died at a hospital. Lawrence, then 59, claimed she acted out of fear during a confrontation. The women had a history of tension. Lawrence called police six to eight times before the shooting, complaining about Owens' young children playing outside, yelling and trespassing. Neighbors told deputies Laurentia, often harassed the kids and recorded them. Owens was a devoted McDonald's manager, raising her four boys, ages two to 12, supporting their sports and activities. Her mother called her joyful and hardworking. Lawrence, who lived alone and worked from home, had a family background of mental health struggles, but friends saw her as peaceful and giving. Lawrencey faced charges of manslaughter with a firearm, assault and battery.

1:03She argued self-defense under Florida's stand-your-ground law, saying she panicked after Owens banged on the door. In August 2024, a jury convicted her of manslaughter. The judge sentenced her to 25 years in November, calling the shooting unnecessary since she was safely behind a locked door. Today, Lawrencey serves time at a Florida prison with a release date in April 2048. She has apologized, but insists she felt terrified. Owens' mother now raises the grandchildren, praising their resilience. The cases captured in Netflix's The Perfect Neighbor documentary, told through Bodycams and 9-1-1 calls, nominated for Best Documentary at The Oscars on March 15. This story is made possible by our sponsor. See the episode description. For Pillow Just Got Smarter, it plays your podcasts and music, S-O-L-I, solelypillow.com.