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Los Angeles recorded its 300th homicide for the year – a milestone last seen ten years ago.
This year’s spike in violence in Los Angeles – including a 32% increase in shootings – comes as other major cities also face similar increases in crime during the coronavirus pandemic.
The Los Angeles Times reported on Sunday that four murders from Saturday to Sunday morning pushed the city into the 300-dead mark for the first time since 2009.
Los Angeles Police Department captain Stacy Spell told the newspaper the official tally will come after additional decisions are made, including by the county coroner.
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“The reality is that there are 300,” Spell said. “It’s tragic.”
One victim was a 17-year-old boy riding a bicycle, the newspaper reported. The others were a 50-year-old homeless man, a 20-year-old man and a 41-year-old woman.
Much of the violence this year has occurred in South Los Angeles and Central Los Angeles Chief Michel Moore said he believed part of the increase in crime was due to pandemic-related issues, such as economic struggles and virus-related restrictions on services and responses.
Last year, Los Angeles recorded 253 homicides, according to the LA Times, and 260 in 2018.
In 2009, the city had 312 murders.
Frank Miles is a reporter and editor covering geopolitics, military, crime, technology and sports for FoxNews.com. His email is [email protected].
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