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Durham police report rise in homicides and shootings in first quarter
Summary
The Durham Police Department reported 13 homicides (a 44.4% increase), an uptick in gunshot victims and firearm-involved aggravated assaults in the first quarter, while robberies and some property crimes declined; the department also highlighted recruitment gains with a recent academy graduation.
The Durham Police Department told city council on Wednesday that violent crime trends in the first quarter of the year include an increase in homicides and firearm-related assaults.
Police Chief (presentation) said the department recorded 13 reportable homicide offenses in the quarter, a 44.4% increase compared with the prior year and higher than the three‑year average. The department reported 123 shooting incidents and said gun seizures and ballistic testing continue to support investigations. Chief Tate reported that 61% of aggravated assaults involved firearms and that police cleared a number of sexual-assault and robbery cases with investigative cooperation.
Chief Tate also presented data showing declines in robberies (down about 26%) and an overall decline in some property-crime categories; motor-vehicle-related thefts and thefts from vehicles remain a concern, with a number of stolen firearms coming from unlocked vehicles. The department highlighted staffing and recruiting indicators, noting a recent academy graduation of 30 recruits and ongoing lateral and academy recruitment efforts.
Council members asked for trend analysis across a longer time horizon and for more detailed breakdowns by motive and neighborhoods; Chief Tate said motive patterns vary across investigations and that firearms and juvenile involvement in property crimes were notable concerns. Council members also asked about outreach and prevention measures including community gun-safety education and distribution of firearm locks; the chief said the department is partnering with community groups and neighboring agencies for such events.
What’s next: Council members asked for a 10‑year trend visualization of violent crime per 100,000 residents and for ongoing updates on domestic‑violence-related homicides and firearms recoveries.
