Mayor Brandon M. Scott Announces Continued Decline in Homicides

City Saw 11 Homicides in September, Continuing Historic Decline

Homicides and Non-Fatal Shootings Have Both Dropped by 50% Since 2023

BALTIMORE, MD (Wednesday, October 1, 2025) - Today, Mayor Brandon M. Scott announced that Baltimore homicides continued to significantly decline during the month of September. Last month, the City saw 12 homicides and 26 shootings. Compared to this time last year, Baltimore has seen a 30.4% decrease in homicides and a 20.8% decline in non-fatal shootings.

"I am encouraged to see Baltimore's historic decline in violence continue," said Mayor Brandon M. Scott. "We would not be here without every organization in our community violence intervention ecosystem working together: the men and women of the Baltimore Police Department, my Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement, our Attorney General and State's Attorney, and every single person standing up to violence in their community. This progress serves as a reminder both of how far we've come and how much more work we have ahead."

Last month, the City recorded its 100th homicide, substantially later than it has in previous years. In 2024, it reached 100 homicides in mid-July; in 2023, it recorded its 100th homicide in early May; and in both 2022 and 2021, it hit that mark in April.

As of October 1 there have been 103 homicides and 244 non-fatal shootings in 2025. By this time last year, the City had nearly reached 150 homicides. In the past five years before then, Baltimore crossed 200 homicides by October 1. Homicides are down more than 50% compared to this time in 2023.

This month also marked historic declines in non-fatal shootings. By October 1, 2024, the City had already recorded over 300 non-fatal shootings. By that same date in 2023, the City had recorded nearly 500 non-fatal shootings, meaning that since 2023, there has been an over 50% decline in non-fatal shootings.

Baltimore's Group Violence Reduction Strategy (GVRS), a key partnership between BPD, the Mayor's Office, and prosecutors in the State's Attorney's Office and Office of the Attorney General, which focuses on violent social networks responsible for driving the majority of violence in Baltimore, has seen success balancing services and accountability where appropriate. Together, they work to get those at the very highest risk of being involved in violence to put down the guns and change their behaviors. The strategy has led to over 537 arrests and connected over 313 individuals to life coaching and wraparound services through YAP, Inc., and Roca.

Additionally, as of September 30, 2025, Baltimore Police Department officers have seized 1,904 firearms this year.

Crime continues to drop across other major categories. As of September 30, 2025, aggravated assaults are down 10%, auto thefts are down 32%, carjackings are down 31%, and robberies are down 32% compared to this time last year.

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