In the first quarter of 2012, 18 homicides were reported in DC, four fewer than the number reported in the same time period last year. That represents an 18 percent drop in the number of reported homicides year-to-date.
It is a small statistical sample, certainly, but law enforcement officials, attorneys, and others who watch homicide rates have remarked frequently over the past several weeks about the dip.
The 18 homicides this year, as counted by MPD, include the death of Leroy Studevant, who was found dead in Marvin Gaye Park on Dec. 31, 2011. A review of this year’s homicides also shows that slightly younger people have been affected more than last year: In 2011 the deadliest ages were 20 and 22; so far in 2012, the deadliest ages have been 19 and 21. Two children, Keyontae Osbia Moore, aged 20 months, and Kuron Rashad Hunt, who died after delivery, are also among this year’s victims. In 2011 the youngest homicide victim was 15 years old.
Five of DC’s 18 homicide cases this year have been closed with an arrest.
Despite last weekend’s carnage, Prince George’s County has seen a drop in homicides in the first quarter of 2012 as well. Seventeen homicides, including a 1989 assault case which was just ruled a homicide, have been recorded in Prince George’s County this year. In the same time period last year, 38 homicides were reported. See Gory Prince George’s for more on victims there.
Fewer deaths in January, February and March may, or may not, mean lower murder totals at the end of the year. Last year, the deadliest month in DC was October, followed by August, May, April and January. One bright spot: the oft-repeated correlation between the season’s first warm streak and a spike in homicides didn’t pan out. The warmest March ever on record in DC, saw six homicides. Last year, when seven homicides were reported, the Capital Weather Gang classified March as “slightly cold.”
See 2011’s Homicide By the Numbers for more data.
