Mother fatally shot by neighbor after dispute over playing children, sheriff says

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In a tragic incident fueled by a prolonged feud, a mother from Florida lost her life after being shot through her neighbor’s front door. The horrifying event unfolded with her 9-year-old son standing by her side, leaving the community in shock.

The victim, Ajike Owens, 35, visited her neighbor’s apartment in Ocala following a dispute involving her children. Earlier, the neighbor had shouted at Owens’ kids while they were playing nearby, even throwing a pair of skates that struck one of them. Marion County Sheriff Billy Woods addressed the media during a news conference on Monday, revealing the grim details.

Deputies responded to a trespassing call at the apartment on Friday night, discovering Owens with gunshot wounds. She was swiftly transported to a nearby hospital but tragically succumbed to her injuries. The incident took place in Ocala, a city located approximately 70 miles (110 kilometers) northwest of Orlando.

Expressing his regret over the situation, Sheriff Woods lamented the lack of communication and peaceful resolution, stating, “I wish our shooter would have called us instead of taking actions into her own hands. I wish Ms. Owens would have called us in the hopes we could have never gotten to the point at which we are here today.”

According to Sheriff Woods, the feuding between Owens and her assailant had been ongoing for two and a half years, prompting deputies to respond to related incidents at least six times since January 2021. The shooter, however, remains unidentified and has not been apprehended. The Sheriff’s Office is collaborating with the State Attorney’s Office to investigate potential claims of self-defense before proceeding with any potential criminal charges.

Sheriff Woods highlighted the constraints imposed by Florida’s “stand your ground” law, which prevents him from making an arrest unless it can be proven that the shooter did not act in self-defense.

The confrontation leading to the shooting occurred after Owens’ children had been playing in a field near the shooter’s apartment. When Owens confronted the neighbor at her apartment, an argument erupted, ultimately resulting in the fatal shooting through the front door.

Civil rights attorney Benjamin Crump, who represents Owens’ family, released a statement asserting that the shooter had directed racial slurs at the children prior to the altercation with their mother. It is important to note that the sheriff’s office has yet to confirm these slurs or establish if race played a role in the tragic incident.

Sheriff Woods also mentioned that Owens’ children, who witnessed the shooting, have not been interviewed by investigators. Instead, they are prioritizing the involvement of child therapists to provide support. Currently, most of the available information stems from the shooter’s account of the events.

During the press conference, community leaders and Anthony Thomas, a local attorney representing the family, joined Sheriff Woods, collectively urging patience as the investigation unfolds.

Later that day, during a vigil attended by the family, Thomas stated that the sheriff had promised the utmost professionalism in handling the case. Thomas intends to hold the agency accountable to this commitment.

Expressing her grief and determination for justice, Pamela Dias, Owens’ mother, emphasized the innocence of her daughter and grandchildren, asserting, “My daughter, my grandchildren’s mother, was shot and killed with her 9-year-old son standing next to her. She had no weapon. She posed no imminent threat to anyone.”

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More about Tragic shooting

• Marion County Sheriff’s Office: Official Website
• Florida’s “Stand Your Ground” Law: Florida Statutes
• Benjamin Crump Law Firm: Official Website
• Ocala, Florida: City Website