Homicides Increase in New Year

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The Baltimore City homicide count increased by 31 percent between December 2021 and January 2022, rising from 26 to 34 homicides, according to Baltimore Witness data. The Baltimore Police Department also reported an additional two deaths as homicides last month, stemming from incidents that occurred years prior.

The police department reported an additional two homicides in January, bringing the total homicide count to 36. However, the two incidents did not occur last month but rather in 2019 and 2021, respectively.

Following the victims’ deaths in January 2022, the cases were ruled homicides and included in the police department’s homicide count.

Unlike the police department, Baltimore Witness bases its monthly homicide count on when the incident occurred rather than when the victim died.

Of the 34 homicides recorded by Baltimore Witness in January, 32 involved firearms. The remaining two homicides were caused by stabbing and trauma, respectively.

Only one arrest was made in connection to the 34 homicides.

On Jan. 27, Jamal Smith was arrested for the fatal stabbing of a 42-year-old man. The man died one day after the incident.

Although the overall homicide rate increased last month, several districts in the city saw decreases between December and January. The Central district declined from two to zero homicides, the Southern district declined from four to one homicide, and the Southeastern district declined from three to two homicides.

The homicide rate was unchanged in the Western district and increased in the remaining five districts between December and January. Meanwhile, the Eastern district saw the most significant change, with five additional homicides last month.

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