MIAMI, FL – In the wake of the NAACP Florida Travel Advisory for the Black, LGBTQIA+ and undocumented communities, the South Dade Branch of the NAACP is saddened and angered to learn of the senseless death of Ajike ‘AJ’ Owens. It is heartbreaking to know the offender, Susan Lorincz, had hurled racist slurs at Black children playing in the area, took the property of one of the children, before shooting through the door at their mother Ms. Owens – who sought to understand why the hostility towards her children. The racist actions of Susan Lorincz are inexcusable and impermissible. To murder Ms. Owens because she was trying to protect her children from Susan Lorincz’s racist attack is indicative as to why the Florida Travel Advisory was issued. This all falls on the shoulders of Governor DeSantis, the Florida Legislature, and the extremist groups who seek to call Florida home and are protected by a system which supports hate and racism.
Within the borders of Florida, we have sundown towns. However, Florida has become the nation’s first sundown state! Our prayers are with the family of AJ, and we pray for justice in this tragic situation.
