A chilling tale unfolds in the Netflix documentary, 'The Perfect Neighbour', exposing the dark side of America's controversial 'Stand Your Ground' law. This law, which allows individuals to use deadly force in certain situations, has led to a shocking injustice that demands our attention.
On a fateful day in June 2023, Ajike Owens, a loving mother of four, approached her neighbor, Susan Lorincz, to discuss a minor dispute involving their children. Little did she know, this encounter would end in tragedy. Lorincz, without warning, shot Owens through her front door, leaving her to die on the street. Owens, just 35 years old, became a victim of a law that seemingly encourages violence.
But here's where it gets controversial: Lorincz, a resident of Florida, one of the 'Stand Your Ground' states, claimed self-defense. She believed Owens intended to harm her, despite no evidence to support this claim. The law, in this case, seemed to favor the aggressor.
It took days for Lorincz to be arrested, during which time Owens' community fought for justice. Among them was filmmaker Geeta Gandbhir, who delved into the case, reviewing hours of police footage. She saw an opportunity to spark change and approached Owens' mother, Pam, with the idea of a documentary.
'The Perfect Neighbour' is a powerful film, shedding light on the devastating impact of this law. It won Gandbhir the Directing Award at Sundance and is now a strong contender for the Academy Awards. Owens' mother bravely shares her story, hoping to raise awareness about the dangers of 'Stand Your Ground' and the role of guns in racial violence.
Lorincz, an outlier in her community, repeatedly called the police on her neighbors' children for minor trespassing incidents. The night of Owens' death, the footage is distressing. Her son, a witness to the shooting, runs back sobbing, seeking help. The pain and shock in Pam's voice as she receives the news is heart-wrenching.
Gandbhir reflects, "What the community endured was like a horror film. Susan was a threat, but the police dismissed her. They failed to protect the community and Susan herself." Lorincz, a white woman, allegedly used racial slurs and brandished a gun, yet the police never intervened.
Research reveals a disturbing trend: homicides with white aggressors and Black victims are five times more likely to be ruled justifiable. In 'Stand Your Ground' states, the statistics are even more alarming. Florida saw a 32% increase in gun homicides after the law was enacted.
Lorincz was eventually sentenced to 25 years in prison, but Gandbhir emphasizes that this is not a happy ending. "Prison shouldn't be the answer. We need to demand better for our communities."
Since the film's release, Owens' mother has heard countless similar stories. She launched the Standing in the Gap Fund to support families affected by racial violence. Gandbhir urges us to recognize that our communities reflect the world at large. "If we can justify killing our neighbor, what else can we justify? It leads to acceptance of greater atrocities."
'The Perfect Neighbour' is a call to action, a reminder that laws should protect, not embolden violence. Stream it on Netflix from October 17th and join the conversation.
