Family and friends gathered in Marion County, Ocala, Florida, to celebrate the life of Ajike 'AJ' Owens, who was shot and killed by her neighbor, Susan Lorincz, one year ago. The community decorated a park in purple, Owens' favorite color, to honor her memory. Owens left behind four children, who are now being cared for by her mother, Pamela Dias. During the celebration, Owens' son, Israel, shared a heartfelt poem expressing how much he misses his mom [38d655c8].
The family's lawyer, Anthony Thomas, is seeking a maximum penalty of about 35 years for Lorincz. The pre-trial conference hearing for Lorincz is scheduled to start on Wednesday, with jury selection set for June 17. The family and their supporters hope that justice will be served and that Lorincz will be held accountable for her actions [38d655c8].
The celebration of AJ Owens' life serves as a reminder of the devastating impact of gun violence on families and communities. It highlights the need for stricter gun control measures and increased awareness of the consequences of gun-related incidents. The event also provides an opportunity for loved ones to come together, remember AJ Owens, and support each other in their healing process [38d655c8].
In a separate incident, the Broward Sheriff's Office is offering a $10,000 reward for information regarding the fatal shooting of Beatrice Saintvil, 27, and her 4-year-old daughter Janell on the Florida's Turnpike in Hollywood. The mother and daughter were found shot to death inside a car on the southbound lanes of the Turnpike near the Hollywood Boulevard exit. No details about a suspect or motive have been released. Family members are pleading for information and asking why this happened to their loved ones [df3485f9].
Meanwhile, in Arkansas, a mass shooting took place at a grocery store, claiming the lives of four individuals. Callie Weems, a 23-year-old nurse and mother to a 10-month-old girl, was among the victims. She was administering care to other victims when she was killed. The other victims were identified as Shirley Taylor, 63; Roy Burton Sturgis, 50; and Ellen Shrum, 81. Taylor was described as a dedicated matriarch who took care of her family. Sturgis was known for his bravery and courage. Shrum, the owner of a flower shop, was a center of social life in the community. The suspect, Travis Eugene Posey, 44, was arrested and will be charged with four counts of capital murder. The motive for the shooting remains unclear [15b1a5af].
In Kansas City, Missouri, the family of 29-year-old Taylor Thomas is seeking justice after she was fatally shot near an intersection. Thomas, a mother of six children, was shot multiple times on June 17 and died two days later from her injuries. The shooting occurred two days after Thomas' 29th birthday. The family is asking the public for help in identifying a suspect in the case and is urging people to come forward with information on all unsolved cases of gun violence. Police currently have no suspects in custody. A GoFundMe has been created to help cover Thomas' funeral costs, and there is a $25,000 reward for any information leading to an arrest. The family describes Thomas as someone anyone could rely on and an active participant in her children's lives. They are devastated by her loss and are struggling to tell her young children about their mother's death. The family wants justice for Thomas and for all victims of gun violence [032f985a].