Serialously with Annie Elise

Episode 347: Netflix Showed the Bodycam but They Didn't Show This | AJ Owens

Release Date: December 15, 2025
Host: Annie Elise
Topic: The shooting death of AJ Owens in Ocala, Florida, the background to the case, the years-long conflict in her neighborhood, and the critical details missing from the Netflix documentary The Perfect Neighbor.

Overview

In this episode, Annie Elise dives deep into the tragic case of AJ Owens, a mother of four who was shot and killed by her neighbor, Susan Loritz, in June 2023. Triggered by a years-long neighbor dispute, the incident shook a once tight-knit community in Ocala, Florida and fuelled national debates around race, self-defense laws, and the realities masked by viral true-crime documentaries. Annie goes beyond the snippets shown in Netflix’s The Perfect Neighbor, uncovering the overlooked context, police bodycam footage, neighborhood testimony, and the judicial aftermath. The storytelling style remains conversational and heartfelt, with a focus on the humanity of the people involved and the impact on their families.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Neighborhood Setting and Community Bonds

[01:41 – 07:14]

• The Quail Run neighborhood was known for its strong sense of community—kids played outside together, parents watched one another’s children, and friendships spanned families.
• AJ Owens was especially central to this neighborhood togetherness, described as the “mama bear for the whole neighborhood.”
• Contrasting this environment, Susan Loritz, who moved in during 2020, quickly became the outlier—aloof and increasingly antagonistic.

2. The Incident – What Happened on June 2, 2023

[07:14 – 16:47]

• On the night of June 2, a single gunshot shattered the usual peace.
• 911 calls from panicked neighbors and Susan herself documented chaos and confusion:
  • Quote (Neighbor, relaying 911 call):
    “Somebody got died. His mom got shot. She had love. She had compassion.”
    [00:57]
  • Susan told 911, “This lady just tried to break down my door. I shot through the door… I didn’t know what to do. I grabbed my gun and I saw it at the door.”
    [05:36]
• Bodycam footage mostly shown in the Netflix documentary left out the behind-the-scenes narrative and years of conflict.

3. Years of Escalation and Racist Harassment

[16:47 – 25:04]

• Susan repeatedly called police (6–8 times between 2021–2023) claiming “the kids were loud, trespassing, being obnoxious.”
• Police concluded each time that the children weren’t trespassing and were allowed to play on the field in question.
• Susan hurled racial slurs, insults, and threats at neighborhood children—including the N-word, “black slaves,” and referring to “the underground railroad.”
  • Quote (Neighbors):
    “She just calls us names… Retards… the B word, the P word… she’s crazy.”
    [18:45–19:18]

4. Police Responses & Frustration

[24:28 – 25:31]

• Bodycam clips show officers largely siding with the children and their families, seeing Susan as the root of the neighborhood tensions.
  • Quote (Officer):
    “She’s the only problem. The older son came and got mom… Mom came back over here to try and resolve the issue. [Susan] never even opened the door—never even stepped outside.”
    [24:28–25:16]

5. The Night of the Shooting—A Brief Escalation

[25:08 – 33:11]

• The immediate incident escalated quickly:
  • Susan took a 10-year-old’s iPad and roller skates, allegedly threw the skates at him, and swung an umbrella at the children.
  • The kids went to get their mother, AJ Owens, as previously advised by police.
  • AJ knocked on Susan’s door, demanding a conversation.
  • Within two minutes, Susan shot AJ through her closed door.
• AJ’s two oldest sons witnessed the entire event, with her 10-year-old son at her side and her 12-year-old nearby, compounding the trauma.
  • Memorable Moment:
    Isaac, devastated, felt personally responsible for his mother’s death, lamenting he “didn’t know how to do CPR on her.” [33:29]

6. Aftermath – Medical, Emotional, and Community Fallout

[35:00 – 42:37]

• The bullet passed through several vital organs, making survival extremely unlikely.
• The neighborhood, once close, was shattered.
• AJ’s family, particularly her children, faced unimaginable loss—only softened by the strong community support and national advocacy.

7. The Legal Maze: Stand Your Ground and Delayed Arrest

[58:23 – 63:07]

• In police interviews, Susan portrayed herself as a victim, claiming she was in mortal danger, referencing Florida’s "stand your ground" law:
  • “I really feared for my life.” [59:22]
• She claimed AJ was breaking down her door and threatening to kill her, though evidence and other testimony disputed those claims.
• Police found it difficult to immediately arrest her due to conflicting narratives and state law requirements—prompting public outrage and protests.
  • Quote (Law Enforcement):
    “I wish our shooter would have called us instead of taking actions into her own hands.” [66:07]

8. Trial, Verdict, and Ongoing Lawsuits

[69:02 – 71:36]

• Susan Loritz was eventually arrested five days later, charged with manslaughter with a firearm and other offenses.
• At trial in August 2024:
  • Defense: Argued Susan felt justifiably threatened and invoked "stand your ground."
  • Prosecution: Proved AJ only knocked twice, the door was locked, and Susan had a history of harassment.
• Jury deliberated just two hours before finding Susan guilty of manslaughter; she received a 25-year sentence.
  • Quote (Jury Foreperson):
    “We, the jury, find as to count one of the charge, the defendant is guilty of manslaughter… Did the state prove… the defendant personally used a firearm? Yes.” [71:19]
• Susan remains unrepentant, recently threatening to countersue AJ’s children for defamation as the family pursues a wrongful death lawsuit. [closing segment, ~72:00–74:00]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On AJ Owen’s Character:
  “She always wanted to be present, to be their best friend, to be their confidant…she was a great mom to everybody’s kids.” [~12:30]
• On Susan's Racist Behavior:
  “She would… constantly call them… not only hateful names, but very racial slurred names.” [17:59]
• On Police Frustration:
  “She is the only problem here.” – [24:32]
• On the Aftermath and Grief:
  “I thank God for allowing me to birth such a beautiful baby girl... Please don’t let our baby girl’s death go in vain. A change must come, Asica. AJ Owens is depending on us.” – AJ’s mother at her funeral [67:36]
• On the Verdict:
  “We, the jury, find the defendant guilty of manslaughter.” [71:19]

Timestamps for Major Segments

• Neighborhood Introduction & Context: 01:41–07:14
• 911 Calls & Immediate Incident: 04:37–07:14
• History with Susan—Harassment & Police Calls: 16:47–25:04
• Night of the Shooting: 25:08–33:11
• Aftermath, Family, and Community Response: 35:00–42:37
• Legal Proceedings, Stand Your Ground Law & Investigation: 58:23–63:07
• Trial & Verdict: 69:02–71:36
• Final Reflections & Ongoing Lawsuits: 71:36–end

Tone & Approach

Annie Elise’s style is empathetic, conversational (often as if talking to a close friend), and meticulous—making the intricate timeline and legal tangles navigable to the average listener. She is critical of Susan’s behavior and the failures of the system that allowed the escalation, while continually recentering the impact on AJ’s children and family. She closes with calls for empathy, community, and justice rather than mere sensationalism.

Final Thoughts

Annie concludes with appeals for listeners to reflect on the case, underline the true cost of such tragedies, and maintain respectful dialogue. She notes that, while AJ’s family continues to seek justice, her children are finding some support through grief counseling and the love of their extended family.

“Be nice, don’t kill people, and just truly be a good neighbor.” [End]

[Watch on YouTube for accompanying bodycam and video footage; follow Serialously and 10 to Life for more cases.]