De Blasio breaks with policing data to blame coronavirus for uptick in shootings

New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio blamed the coronavirus, protests, and reforms to the court system for the uptick in shootings, but data from the police department does not support his claims.

De Blasio and Police Commissioner Dermot Shea have pointed to the coronavirus pandemic and the resulting limited access to the court system as the reason shootings in New York City have skyrocketed. Data obtained by the New York Times showed there is little evidence to tie those events to the number of shootings soaring.