Crime statistics for the month of July painted a grim picture of Chicago as the city’s murder rate more than doubled, with many of the victims being children.
The total number of murders in July climbed to 139% compared to the same month in 2019. There were 105 murders in July compared to 44 in the previous year. The number of reported shootings rose from 232 to 406, a 75% increase.
According to a report from the Chicago Sun-Times, there have been 406 homicides so far this year as of Friday. That is a 51% increase compared to this point in 2019. There was also a 47% increase in shootings in the same comparison.
At least 58 of the 573 people who were shot in various shootings throughout the month of July were minors. Among those 58 was a 9-year-old who was shot and killed on Friday night. The youngest victim was a 9-year-old girl.
On July 21, Chicago had its largest mass shooting in recent history, with 15 people shot in one incident outside a funeral home.
Overall, police said that crime is declining in the city. The department reported a 9% decline in total crimes, which include burglary, sexual assault, and vehicle thefts.
Editor’s note: This stories has been updated to correct the statistic on the number of Chicago murders recorded in July 2020.
