REV. AL SHARPTON SLAMS FLORIDA OFFICIALS FOR DECLINING TO FILE MURDER CHARGES AGAINST WOMAN WHO FATALLY SHOT AJIKE “AJ” OWENS

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Jun 26, 2023

Calls for U.S. Department of Justice to Intervene after Outrageous Decision

New York, New York – (Monday, June 26, 2023) – Rev. Al Sharpton, President and Founder of the National Action Network (NAN), today responded to Florida prosecutors’ decision to not file murder charges against the woman who fatally shot Ajike “AJ” Owens after knocking on her door. Instead, officials will charge the shooter with one count of manslaughter with a firearm and one count of assault. Rev. Sharpton delivered the eulogy for the mother of four in Ocala earlier this month, calling for justice in the murder and shaming Florida officials for their silence over the killing.

“The legal system failed AJ Owens and her family today by refusing to recognize that this brazen shooting was plain murder. It was an outrageous decision to not bring murder charges against a shooter who fired blindly through the door. Florida officials have failed AJ throughout this entire process. The National Action Network has been with her family since this shooting to support them through what was clearly going to be an uphill battle. The fact that this woman hurled insults including the n-word at her children and proclaimed, ‘this isn’t the underground railroad, slave,’ should be enough for the Justice Department to investigate this as a federal hate crime. We urge the DOJ to intervene in this case, so the appropriate level of justice is delivered for AJ and her family.”

About National Action Network (NAN)

National Action Network is one of the leading civil rights organizations in the Nation with chapters throughout the entire United States. Founded in 1991 by Reverend Al Sharpton, NAN works within the spirit and tradition of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. to promote a modern civil rights agenda that includes the fight for one standard of justice, decency, and equal opportunities for all people regardless of race, religion, nationality, or gender.

For more information go to www.nationalactionnetwork.net.

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