A black woman named Ajike “AJ” Owens was allegedly shot and killed by her white neighbor in Ocala, Florida, sparking outrage on social media and calls for justice. The shooter, a 58-year-old woman whose name has not been released, has not been arrested or charged, as authorities are investigating whether the state’s controversial “stand your ground” law applies in this case.
The Story Behind a Florida White Woman Allegedly Murdering Ajike ‘AJ’ Owens in Front Her Kids
According to Owens’ family and their attorney Ben Crump, the incident began when Owens’ children were playing outside near the shooter’s home and accidentally left an iPad behind. The shooter allegedly took the iPad and threw it at the children, hitting one of them and cracking the screen. When Owens learned what happened, she went to confront the shooter, who reportedly yelled racial slurs at her and her children.
Owens knocked on the shooter’s door, but the door never opened. Instead, the shooter fired a gun through the door, hitting Owens in the chest. Owens was taken to a hospital, where she was pronounced dead. At least two of her four children witnessed the shooting.
Why Hasn’t the White Woman Who Shot and Killed Ajike ‘AJ’ Owens Been Charged or Arrested?
Marion County Sheriff Billy Woods claims that he does not know yet if the accounts of what happened was accurate or not, and that he was waiting for more evidence and witnesses to come forward. He also said that he had to consider whether the shooter acted in self-defense under the “stand your ground” law, which allows people to use deadly force if they reasonably believe they are in imminent danger of death or serious injury.
The law has been criticized for being racially biased and encouraging vigilantism. In 2012, it was invoked by George Zimmerman, who fatally shot Trayvon Martin, an unarmed black teenager, in Sanford, Florida. Zimmerman was acquitted of murder charges.
Crump, who has represented several high-profile cases of police brutality and racial violence against black people, said that he would fight for justice for Owens and her family. He said that he hoped that the sheriff would not use the “stand your ground” law as an excuse to let the shooter get away with murder.
