In this episode of I Fear You, Babe, we tell the full story of Ajike “AJ” Owens — a 35 year old mother of four who was killed by her neighbor in Ocala, Florida.

You may have seen the Netflix documentary The Perfect Neighbor. This episode goes deeper.

We talk about who AJ was before she became a headline.
The neighborhood conflict that escalated over years.
The repeated 911 calls that went unaddressed.
The body camera footage that reveals more than it intends to.
And the strange, overlooked details — including how fear was framed, validated, and weaponized.

This is not just a story about a shooting.
It’s a story about community, race, power, and what happens when warning signs are documented but ignored.

We also talk about the children AJ left behind, the legal outcome of the case, and what this story asks of us — not as spectators, but as people who live next to each other.

This episode contains discussions of gun violence and may be difficult for some listeners.

Resources are included in the show notes.

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REFERENCES & SOURCES

Netflix Documentary

• The Perfect Neighbor (Netflix, 2024)
  Directed by Geeta Gandbhir
  Uses body camera footage, 911 calls, and trial context to document the killing of Ajike Owens.

Major Reporting

• People Magazine
  • “Who Was Ajike ‘AJ’ Owens?”
  • “Timeline of Events in the Killing of AJ Owens”
  • “Where Are AJ Owens’ Children Now?”
    (People provided extensive reporting on AJ’s life, her children, the neighborhood conflict, and the aftermath.)
• Associated Press (AP News)
  • Coverage of Susan Louise Lorincz’s arrest, trial, conviction, and sentencing
  • Reporting on Stand Your Ground arguments and prosecutorial response
• ABC News
  • “Florida Woman Sentenced to 25 Years in Fatal Shooting of Neighbor”
  • Courtroom reporting and victim impact statements

Court and Legal Coverage

• Marion County court records
  • Manslaughter with a firearm conviction
  • Sentencing documents (25 year sentence, November 2024)

Local Florida Reporting

• WCJB-TV (Ocala)
  • Long-term coverage of neighborhood complaints, 911 call history, and community response
  • Reporting on the Standing in the Gap Fund created by AJ’s family

Advocacy and Family Statements

• Pamela Dias (AJ Owens’ mother)
  • Public statements and interviews regarding AJ’s children and community impact
  • Founder of the Standing in the Gap Fund for families affected by gun and racist violence

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