Firearm homicides in Denver surged in 2021

Gun-related homicides in Denver final 12 months reached their highest ranges since no less than 2015, in keeping with an Axios Denver evaluation of information from the Denver Police Division.

Why it issues: The findings bolster preliminary information displaying a spike in violent crime all through the pandemic in Denver and throughout the state.

By the numbers: The variety of homicides brought on by a firearm in 2021 greater than doubled the overall from 2015, with no less than 82 incidents recorded by Denver police.

• The largest spike occurred between 2019 and 2020, with a 35% improve.
• 2021 additionally noticed a major uptick in comparison with the 12 months prior, at 32%.

Sure, however: The speed of some violent crimes, like homicide, stays far decrease in Colorado than these recorded all through the Nineteen Eighties and ’90s.

The massive image: Firearm homicides have risen nationwide, Axios’ Ivana Saric writes based mostly on a CDC report revealed this month.

• The firearm murder fee within the U.S. hit its highest stage since 1994 through the first 12 months of the COVID pandemic, with important racial and sophistication disparities.
• The upward pattern additionally continued into 2021.

What they’re saying: The CDC famous that firearm homicides and suicides are a “persistent and important” public well being concern within the U.S.

• Through the pandemic, “longstanding systemic inequities and structural racism have resulted in restricted financial, housing, and academic alternatives related to inequities in danger for violence and different well being circumstances amongst numerous racial and ethnic teams,” the report said.
• The examine’s findings “underscore the significance of complete methods that may cease violence” by addressing underlying components that contribute to murder and suicide charges, together with financial and social inequalities that drive racial disparities in well being outcomes, per the report.