A grim mark: Louisville on verge of tying 2020's record for homicides. Here's what to know
Editor's note: This story has been corrected to reflect that a homicide was being counted twice. Louisville has seen 172 homicides in 2021 as of Nov. 18, not 173.
LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Louisville has now seen 172 homicides in 2021, just one shy of last year's grim record for murders in the city.
For comparison, Louisville Metro Police had seen about 140 homicides at this time last year.
The 172nd criminal homicide to be investigated by LMPD this year occurred at a gas station in the 1800 block of Berry Boulevard on Thursday afternoon, according to a Courier Journal count that relies on police data.
LMPD officers responded to a reported shooting about 3:15 p.m. and found a deceased man, department spokeswoman Alicia Smiley confirmed. The man is believed to have been in his late teens or early 20s, she added. There are no suspects.
Here are a few things to know about the somber mark and violence in Louisville.
Tracking the violence: The latest on Louisville's homicides
How many of Louisville's homicides have resulted from shootings?
Shootings account for the majority of Louisville's homicides in 2021.
Of the 172 homicides this year, 163 have been fatal shootings, according to preliminary Louisville Metro Police Department data.
Louisville has also experienced more than 520 nonfatal shootings in 2021, per LMPD data.
Of this year's homicides, the vast majority of victims — about 75% — were Black, and about three-quarters of the suspects arrested so far in connection with the homicides are Black, according to the department's preliminary data.
What have been the other types of homicides?
According to LMPD data, Louisville has seen one murder involving asphyxia, three murders involving blunt force trauma and six fatal stabbings.
In addition, one homicide took place in 2020 but is counted in this year's total due to the victim's body being discovered in January.
How many cases have been closed?
LMPD has closed 61 of the 173 cases, for a clearance rate of roughly 35%. Cases are generally closed when arrests are made, for example.
How many noncriminal homicides have occurred?
Louisville police have also investigated nine noncriminal homicides in 2021, per preliminary department data. These non-criminal homicides are often determined to be cases of self-defense, for example, in which the use of force was justified.
How many children have been murdered in Louisville?
Of the homicide victims so far this year, 21 were 17 years old or younger, according to LMPD data.
The Courier Journal reported in August that Louisville had seen 17 children and teens murdered so far this year, putting the city ahead of 2020's total of 16 juveniles killed.
Reach Billy Kobin at bkobin@courierjournal.com.
This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Louisville homicides: 2021 nears 2020's total of 173 murders in city
