HOMICIDE/ASSAULT

There were 15,980 murders reported in 2001, reflecting a 2.5 increase over 2000. Forty-five percent of homicide victims were related to or acquainted with their assailant. ³⁹

76% of murder victims were males.²⁴

65% of homicide victims were murdered with a firearm.²⁴

Seventy-six percent of the victims of homicide in 2001 were male and 89 percent were adults. When race was known, 49.8 percent of the homicide victims were white, 47 percent were black and the remaining victims were Asian, Pacific Islanders, Native Americans, or Alaskans.³⁹

Offenders used a weapon in about one fourth of violent victimizations in 1998.²

Handguns were used in 52% of all murders committed in 1998. Knives were used in 13% of cases; blunt objects in 5%.³

In 15.1% of family murders, the offender used his/her feet, hands, or fists to kill his/her intended victim.³

Analysis of school-associated homicides shows that an average of one homicide event occurs every seven school days.³⁰

The number of workplace homicides increased for the first time in six years, from 651 in 1999 to 677 in 2000.²⁹

Since the 1992-93 school year, there has been at least one multiple-victim homicide event each school year. That number increased to five events in 1997-98.¹⁰

Juvenile violent crime is at its lowest level since 1987 and has fallen 30% from 1994 to 1998.¹¹

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