VOLUME 6 ISSUE 44
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‘A Symphony of Color’ Pg A9 November 7 - 13, 2025
Teen remembered during prayer vigil
Susan Lorincz threatens court action
Susan Lorincz looks on with her defense attorneys before being sentenced to 25 years by Circuit Court Judge Robert Hodges at the Marion County Judicial Center in Ocala on Nov. 25, 2024. Lorincz was found guilty of manslaughter in August 2024 for the June 2, 2023, shooting death of Ajike "AJ" Owens. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette file photo]
Facing a wrongful death lawsuit, convicted felon says she wants to countersue family of Ajike Owens for defamation. By Caroline Brauchler
H People become emotional as they hold candles during a prayer and candlelight vigil for 18-year-old Shannon Rushing at the Miracle Deliverance Center on NW Old Blitchton Road in Ocala on Nov. 3. Rushing, a senior at Forest High School, was killed Oct. 27 after being struck by a car while walking to her bus stop on the dark roadway, a block away from the church. [Photo by Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette]
Shannon Rushing was struck by a car while walking in Ocala and her sister has launched a petition for increased road safety. By Andy Fillmore andy@ocalagazette.com
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riends and family members gathered at a candlelight prayer vigil the evening of Nov. 3 for 18-year-old Forest High School senior Shannon Rushing, who died after she was struck by a car while walking on Old Blitchton Road the morning of Oct. 27. The vigil was hosted by the Miracle Deliverance Center church at 1950 NW Old Blitchton Road, near the site of the fatality, which occurred at 6:18 a.m. several hundred feet east of Northwest 22nd Avenue. Shanta Norton, Shannon’s sister, joined the vigil as did a number of Shannon’s family members and friends. About 60 people were on hand.
Norton said in an interview before the vigil that Shannon has been living with her since their mother died of leukemia in 2014. “We’re just trying to get through the hard part and the thought of not seeing her every day,” Norton said. Several people shared their ref lections on knowing Shannon. A man who said he considered himself “a big brother” to Shannon said he would “miss her” and her habit of “rocking” on occasion. Jamall Anderson said Shannon, his niece, was “very caring (and) funny.” One person shared that Shannon’s favorite pastime was “sitting around the pool and watching TV” while another said, “she knew she was loved.” Sophilia L. Givens, pastor of Anchor International Ministries, delivered “words of encouragement” to Shannon’s
family and the attendees at the vigil. “Shannon’s name means life, wisdom and the presence of God,” Givens said comparing the name to the River Shannon in Ireland. Givens said Shannon’s life is like “eternal water” which will “channel through your life like an eternal river.” “God was in charge of Shannon’s life,” Given said. Robert Rushing, Shannon’s uncle, said he was thinking of his niece and her cousin, China Gaskins, said Shannon was a “happy” person who would “make you smile.” Mary Defreitas said she is a supportive co-worker of Norton’s. Darrell Tolbert of L-Jireh Ministries told the attendees that losing Shannon affected the entire community and said See Teen remembered, page A10
andwritten from her prison cell, court documents show Susan Lorincz has threatened to sue the mother and children of Ajike “AJ” Owens, the neighbor Lorincz shot and killed in 2023, for defamation in response to a wrongful death lawsuit the mother filed against Lorincz earlier this year. Owens’ mother, Pamela Dias, sued Lorincz in June, near the two-year anniversary of her daughter’s killing. Dias’ lawsuit accuses Lorincz of wrongful death and names property landlord Charles Gabbard as a co-defendant, claiming Gabbard was negligent in failing to prevent Owens’ death. Owens, a 35-year-old mother of four, was killed by Lorincz in a 2023 shooting that ignited nationwide discussion over racial prejudice and a re-examination of Florida’s “stand your ground” laws. Lorincz was found guilty of manslaughter with a firearm in August 2024 and sentenced to 25 years in prison. Lorincz sent in her answer to Dias’ lawsuit, a three-page long, See Susan Lorincz, page A10
MTC offers new programs Diesel systems tech and aviation airframe mechanic certifications may lead to employment opportunities. By Andy Fillmore andy@ocalagazette.com
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avid Patrick plans to turn his love of tinkering on his sports motorcycle and interest in engine mechanics into a profitable career. Patrick has charted a career
path in the diesel engine and vehicle industry thanks to the Diesel Systems Technician 1 program at Marion Technical College, which is part of the Marion County Public Schools system. Patrick, 20, of Summerfield, who was home schooled, said after he graduated high school
he had limited success finding a job. He said he feels the diesel training program is the right fit for him to launch a career and he also plans to get his commercial driver’s license to more thoroughly know the vehicles. Mechanics may also need to test drive a vehicle that is in for repair, he noted.
DST1 and Aviation Airframe Mechanics are two of the new hands-on training programs coming to MTC and will be housed in a recently completed $5.57 million facility on the campus at 1014 SW 7th Road, Ocala. A ribbon cutting was held See New programs, page A11
Marion Technical College students Kenneth Herndon, left, and David Patrick, look over tools in the diesel training section of the new $5.57 building on the MTC campus at 1014 SW 7th Road, Ocala. The men are enrolled in the diesel technician program at MTC and were on hand for a ribbon cutting for the new training facility on Oct. 30. [Photo by Andy Fillmore]
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VITA seeks volunteers................. A2 Community Connect.................... A5 City/county pay gap...................... A6 Home & Garden............................ B1 Calendar......................................... B6
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