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Sheriff probes self-defense claim of white woman who fatally shot Black neighbor in front of kids

by Sophia Chen
5 comments
racial tensions

Pressure is mounting on authorities to arrest and charge a white woman who shot and killed her Black neighbor on her doorstep, reigniting the debate over Florida’s controversial stand your ground law. In response, approximately thirty Black protesters, accompanied by a few others, gathered outside the Marion County Judicial Center to demand the shooter’s arrest, turning the incident into the latest national focal point on race and gun violence.

The tragic shooting occurred on Friday night when Ajike Owens, a 35-year-old mother of four, was fatally shot following a long-standing feud between neighbors in a residential neighborhood located in Florida’s horse country, south of Ocala. On Tuesday, a memorial of flowers and a stuffed teddy bear marked the spot where Owens was killed. Children in the area were seen riding bikes, scooters, and playing basketball while protesters chanted Owens’ nickname, “A.J.,” demanding justice. The signs they carried emphasized her name and called attention to the larger issue at hand.

According to Marion County Sheriff Billy Woods, the shooting transpired shortly after Owens visited her neighbor’s apartment. The neighbor had previously yelled at Owens’ children while they were playing in a nearby lot, and another neighbor had even thrown a pair of skates that hit one of the children. Deputies, responding to a trespassing call that night, discovered Owens suffering from gunshot wounds. Tragically, she later succumbed to her injuries at an Ocala hospital.

Civil rights attorney Benjamin Crump, who represented Trayvon Martin’s family in 2012, released a statement claiming that racial slurs were directed at Owens’ children before the confrontation. However, the sheriff’s office has not confirmed this information or stated whether race played a role in the shooting.

A resident from across the street, Lauren Smith, witnessed the tragic events unfold. Smith, a white woman, was on her porch when she saw one of Owens’ young sons pacing and shouting, “They shot my mama!” She rushed to the scene and performed chest compressions on Owens until emergency services arrived. Smith asserted that there was no altercation and that Owens did not possess a weapon. She characterized the shooter as continuously angry toward the children, frequently making derogatory comments. Smith, who described the neighborhood as “family-friendly,” finds the shooter’s claim of self-defense outrageous and wishes that she had contacted law enforcement instead of taking matters into her own hands. Sheriff Woods echoed this sentiment, expressing his wish that both parties had sought the help of law enforcement before the situation escalated to its tragic outcome.

The sheriff revealed that his office had responded to the feuding neighbors’ altercations at least six times since January 2021. Angela Ferrell-Zabala, executive director of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, expressed her deep sadness over the senseless shooting, attributing it to lax gun laws and a culture of shooting first. She also highlighted the significant disparity in justifiable rulings in stand your ground cases involving a white shooter and a Black victim.

Florida’s self-defense statute underwent an update in 2017, shifting the burden of proof onto prosecutors when someone claims self-defense. As a result, authorities must first rule out self-defense before pursuing charges, whereas previously, prosecutors could charge an individual with a shooting and require defense attorneys to present an affirmative defense. Stand your ground and “castle doctrine” cases, which grant residents the right to defend themselves when threatened, have generated widespread outrage due to a series of shootings across the country.

One notable case related to the stand your ground argument was the trial of George Zimmerman, who fatally shot Trayvon Martin, an African American teenager, in 2012. Zimmerman, who is of white and Hispanic descent, initially claimed self-defense and was acquitted of murder charges. The stand your ground law played a role in his trial, although Zimmerman’s defense team chose not to pursue it explicitly.

During a news conference, Sheriff Woods was joined by community leaders and Anthony Thomas, a local attorney representing Owens’ family, who emphasized the importance of patience during the ongoing investigation. Police have not yet interviewed Owens’ children, two of whom witnessed the shooting, as they want child therapists to work with them first. The majority of the information obtained thus far comes from the shooter’s account, according to the sheriff.

At the vigil held on Monday, Pamela Dias, Owens’ mother, expressed her desire for justice on behalf of her daughter and grandchildren. She emphasized that Owens, who had her nine-year-old son beside her, posed no imminent threat and did not possess a weapon.

Note: The content has been rewritten for clarity, conciseness, and neutrality while preserving the essence of the original text.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about racial tensions

What is the background of the incident described in the text?

The incident involves the shooting of a Black neighbor by a white woman in Florida. The shooting occurred after a long-standing feud between the neighbors, raising racial tensions and sparking protests.

What is the stand your ground law mentioned in the text?

The stand your ground law is a self-defense statute that shifts the burden of proof onto prosecutors when someone claims self-defense. In Florida, this law was updated in 2017, requiring authorities to rule out self-defense before bringing charges.

How has this incident reignited discussions about racial tensions?

The incident has brought attention to racial tensions due to the victim being Black and the shooter being white. Allegations of racial slurs and the involvement of the stand your ground law have sparked protests and demands for justice.

What is the role of self-defense in this case?

The shooter claims self-defense, stating that the victim and her children were aggressive and had engaged in a long-standing feud. Investigations are ongoing to determine the validity of this claim and whether self-defense played a role in the shooting.

How are protests and community leaders responding to the incident?

Protests have taken place, with demonstrators demanding the arrest of the shooter and justice for the victim. Community leaders have called for patience during the investigation and emphasized the need to address racial tensions and gun violence issues in society.

More about racial tensions

  • Stand Your Ground Law in Florida: Link
  • Trayvon Martin Case: Link
  • Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America: Link
  • Racial Tensions and Gun Violence: Link

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5 comments

JohnDoe82 June 6, 2023 - 9:06 pm

this is such a tragic incident. black neighbor killed by a white woman. racial tensions are so high right now, it’s heartbreaking. we need justice!

Reply
BookLover45 June 6, 2023 - 9:06 pm

omg, this story is so sad. black neighbor shot in front of her kids. and the shooter is claiming self-defense? seriously? this is messed up. #racialinjustice

Reply
SoccerFan21 June 6, 2023 - 9:06 pm

what a terrible situation. a mother of four gone because of a feud between neighbors. and the stand your ground law is involved again. something needs to change! #gunviolence

Reply
MusicLover77 June 6, 2023 - 9:06 pm

this is why we need stricter gun laws. another tragic shooting where race might have played a role. when will we learn? #endgunviolence

Reply
TravelBug99 June 6, 2023 - 9:07 pm

it’s so disheartening to read about racial tensions and violence. my thoughts are with the victim’s family. we need to come together as a society and address these issues. #unity

Reply

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