Police fault jump on a pattern of repeat offenders, more guns on the streets
© CNN
The District's homicide rate spiked dramatically this year, and officials say there's no single reason for the increase.
As of Wednesday, the Metropolitan Police Department reported 162 homicides in 2015 — a 54 percent increase over last year, despite overall crime being down 4 percent. There were 105 murders last year, 104 in 2013 and 88 in 2012.The last time the District saw a homicide rate as high as this year's was 2008, when police recorded 186 homicides. Most of this year's homicides — 119 — occurred in the 5th, 6th and 7th Police Districts, which correspond to Wards 5, 7 and 8. Assistant Police Chief Peter Newsham says several factors account for the jump in homicides, including a pattern of repeat offenders and more guns on the streets.
"A greater percent of those arrested for homicide have prior convictions for felony violent crimes," ChiefNewsham told The
Washington Times. "And a lot of times more than one gun was represented at the crime scene. The means either there were two shooters and one victim, or those involved were shooting at each other."
Chief Newsham said officers have found more shell casings at crime scenes, which means that shooters could be using guns with modified magazines that turn a standard pistol into a firearm with up to 40 rounds. When more shots are taken, there is a higher likelihood of someone dying, he said, adding that cases that could have been deemed assault with a deadly weapon quickly turn into homicides.
Mayor Muriel Bowser has been aware of the increase in homicides since May, and has been getting detailed weekly reports since then, according to Deputy Mayor for Public Safety Kevin Donahue. "We've been following it closely and asking ourselves why it happened," Mr. Donahue said.
"Something has changed in 2015."
Other cities have seen similar increases in murder this year. Baltimore has seen a 63 percent increase, with homicides rising from 208 in 2014 to 338 this year.
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