CHICAGO — Chicago’s homicide rate was the most of any city in the United States during 2021 and was the most in the Second City in a quarter-century.
According to statistics released by the Chicago Police Department on Saturday, there were 797 homicides in the city during 2021, WLS-TV reported. That is 25 more than 2020 and the most since 1996, according to the data.
Police said there were 3,561 shooting incidents during 2021, which is 300 more than 2020 and 1,415 more than 2019, according to WMAQ-TV.
The homicide figures do not include killings that occurred in self-defense, the Chicago Tribune reported. Homicide data from the Illinois State Police, which patrols the city’s expressways, is not included, the newspaper reported.
“We all know this has been a challenging year here in the city of Chicago,” Police Superintendent David Brown told reporters at a news conference last week. “Too many families are reeling from the loss of (loved) ones due to senseless gun violence.”
Brown said most of the homicides are the result of conflicts between rival gangs, The Associated Press reported.
Information about homicides is released daily by the city of Chicago, the Tribune reported. The release of homicide victims’ names is delayed by two weeks to allow time for next-of-kin notification by the Chicago Police Department.