Posted on November 12, 2020

Philadelphia Homicide Rate Is Highest It’s Been in 25 Years

Kristen Johanson, KYW Newsradio, November 10, 2020

At least 425 homicides have occurred in Philadelphia so far this year — the highest annual sum in 25 years.

The last time Philadelphia saw as many victims killed at the hands of another in one year was in 1996 with 420 homicides, and 1995 with 432 homicides, according to Philadelphia police statistics.

As of Monday, the Philadelphia Police Department has recorded more than 1,900 gunshot victims, 377 of which were fatal.

With more than a month and a half left in 2020, breaking an all-time high of 500 homicides isn’t out of reach, according to authorities.

City leaders continue to blame the coronavirus pandemic, in part, as to why progress to curb gun violence is slow.

“This is very frustrating because we are in the midst of all these other crises, in the midst of the homicide and shooting crisis,” said Mayor Jim Kenney. “It’s a number that bothers me when I see it every day. … We were just coming out of another round of civil unrest, which puts our police in a different situation to be assigned to various places that are not as intensive when it comes to people shooting each other and killing each other.”

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