A forthcoming documentary on Netflix will delve into a disturbing real-life crime story that shook a small community when a disagreement escalated into a tragic incident. Set to air in October, “The Perfect Neighbor” narrates the unsettling saga of the interactions between 35-year-old Ajike “AJ” Shantrell Owens and her 58-year-old neighbor Susan Lorincz.
Despite being a mother of four, Owens was fatally shot through a locked door in 2023 after enduring years of tense conflicts with Lorincz. Using police body-camera footage and 911 call recordings, the documentary portrays how a series of confrontations led to the fatal outcome. Lorincz had frequently contacted the authorities to complain about Owens’ children, alleging trespassing, disruptive behavior, and other issues.
The program vividly illustrates how repeated incidents and police interventions painted Owens as a perceived threat to Lorincz. Tragically, Lorincz fired at Owens through the door, resulting in the mother’s tragic death. The fatal encounter occurred during a dispute over Owens’ children playing outside in Ocala.
Following the shooting on June 2, 2023, which involved racial slurs being directed at Owens’ children by Lorincz, tensions between the two individuals escalated. The culmination of ongoing disputes led to multiple police interventions throughout 2021.
The final fatal confrontation occurred when Lorincz, inside her residence, discharged a handgun, striking Owens in the chest. While she did not testify during the trial, Lorincz expressed to investigators that she felt threatened when Owens approached her door, leading to the tragic incident.
Although invoking Florida’s “stand your ground” law in her defense, Lorincz was found guilty of manslaughter in 2024 by a jury. She was subsequently sentenced to 25 years in prison. The documentary made its debut at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival where it received the US Documentary Directing Award, and it is scheduled for release in theaters on October 10 before being available for streaming on Netflix on October 17.
Lorincz was convicted of manslaughter with a firearm and assault by the jury.
