MId-February homicides increased by 41% this year compared to last year. | Kindel Media/Pexels
MId-February homicides increased by 41% this year compared to last year. | Kindel Media/Pexels
While Atlanta police reported that mid-February homicides increased by 41% compared with the same time last year, a majority of the homicides committed involved suspects and victims who knew one another.
Atlanta police Chief Rodney Bryant told Fox 5 Atlanta that the murders often occur as a result of disagreements that get out of hand. Approximately 33% of homicides happen as a result of these arguments.
"As we begin the beginning of this year, crime is down in every category with the exception of homicide," Bryant told Fox 5 Atlanta. "It's very typical of what we saw last year."
By the end of February, there had been 24 reported murders in Atlanta, Fox 5 Atlanta reported. A large majority of the crimes had been committed using handguns, many of which were stolen from cars and homes.
"We see victims from all walks of life financially, race, different cities states," Major Carlo Peek told Fox 5 Atlanta.
Approximately half of the cases have resulted in arrests, Fox 5 Atlanta reported. Detectives continue to investigate the remaining incidents.
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