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The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) reported that their death toll had reached 300 homicides for the first time since 2009. In 2009 the city reported 312 homicides. According to CNN, the numbers have increased from the 257 homicides reported in 2019 on Nov. 23, 2020.
Most of the violence took place this year in central and South Los Angeles. The latest death this year is the shooting of a 17-year-old male.
The incident took place beneath a highway overpass in south Los Angeles. The young male was riding a motorcycle near his home when he was gunned down.
He passed away en route to the hospital. Stacy Spell, the Los Angeles Police Department’s Captain, reported that the official count would come after additional determinations are made, including by the county’s coroner.
Over the last year, many cities across the United States have also witnessed an increase in homicide and shooting incidents.
In September, Louisville, Kentucky, reached a record of 121 murders. According to statistics from the Louisville Metro Police Department (LMPD), these are the most homicides the city has ever seen. That same month the LMPD Lt. Donny Burbink reported that the numbers of reported murder cases strained the homicide unit’s ability to investigate all cases. Only 37 arrests were made of all of them.
We have not been able to provide victims’ families the proper investigation, that we would like to, and it is really unfortunate, we are hoping that sooner or later, things start to clam down so our victims’ families can get some of the answers they want. Burbink said.
Written by Jessica Letcher
Sources:
CNN: Los Angeles Police Department reports more homicides than they’ve seen in over a decade; by Jenn Selva and Hollie Silverman
The Los Angeles Times: Killings in L.A. spike dramatically, leaving families shattered, communities reeling; by Kevin Rector, Nicole Santa Cruz
Fox News: Los Angeles has now crossed 300 homicides for the first time in over a decade; by Frank Miles
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