A Florida white neighbor allegedly fatally shot a Black mother of four through her front door on Friday night after the mother attempted to retrieve an iPad the neighbor reportedly took from her child.
Civil rights Attorney Ben Crump tweeted that an unarmed Ajike “AJ” Owens approached the white woman’s residence to retrieve her child’s iPad that was supposedly left in a field her children were playing in, and the white woman reportedly took it.
This is Ajike “AJ” Owens — a mother of 4 fatally shot after she reportedly knocked on the door of a white woman’s residence to retrieve her child’s iPad. It’s believed that Owens’ children accidentally left the device behind in a field they were playing in, & the woman took it. pic.twitter.com/jfC6JJdQCS
— Ben Crump (@AttorneyCrump) June 5, 2023
At a press conference, Marion County Sheriff Billy Woods stated that the dispute ensued over the children playing. Prior to the neighbor shooting, deputies confirmed the white woman engaged with the playing children, but they couldn’t confidently say how she interacted with them.
At some time, Owens interfered, an argument ensued, and the white neighbor shot and killed Owens.
“I wish our shooter would’ve called us instead of taking action into her own hands,” Woods told reporters.
A reporter at the press conference asked if it was true that the woman chased the kids off the property, causing them to leave the iPad behind and return to retrieve it. The reporter also asked if it was confirmed that the killer hit the child with the iPad by throwing it at them. Woods clarified that some were true and some weren’t. Woods stated something was thrown at the kids but didn’t know what.
According to Crump, law enforcement didn’t arrest or charge the neighbor despite police confirming at the press conference that the white woman shot Owens, yet haven’t taken the basic steps toward providing Owens’ children, family and friends justice — like, arresting the murderer.
The unidentified woman, who allegedly shot our client through the door, HASN’T been arrested or charged with anything by law enforcement for the unjust killing.
— Ben Crump (@AttorneyCrump) June 5, 2023
Police took the woman’s statement, in which she told them that Owens acted aggressively. Somehow, the woman felt at liberty to shoot the unarmed mother of four.
Police want to establish if the woman acted in self-defense before making an arrest.
A GoFundMe was created on behalf of the Owens family.
