NORFOLK, Va. — We are now three-quarters of the way through 2024, and homicides in Hampton Roads are trending at their lowest level since pre-pandemic.
There have been 119 homicides this year, compared to 166 this time last year. That's a 28% drop.
Chesapeake is the only city with a rise in homicides year over year. That city has reported three more killings in 2024.
Portsmouth's 30 homicides is right in line with this time last year.
Meanwhile, Hampton and Newport News have seen noteworthy double-digit drops. Hampton has 18 fewer homicides this year, while Newport News has 16 fewer.
Virginia Beach, Norfolk, and Suffolk are all trending down, too.
Despite the overall downward trend, killings ticked up in September, which became the third most violent month this year.
Of the 15 homicides last month, three teenagers were shot and killed in three different incidents between the hours of 6 a.m. and noon. No arrests have been made in any of their murders.
On September 3, 18-year-old Jamel M. Jones was shot and killed on Kimball Terrace in Norfolk. The shooting happened around noon, and Jones was pronounced dead at the scene.
On September 10, a 15-year-old boy was shot and killed in Newport News while waiting at the bus stop at 6:18 a.m. He died at the hospital.
On September 17, a 17-year-old boy was shot and killed at 6:59 a.m. on Gloucester Drive in Newport News. He also died at the hospital.
The daylight timing of these homicides speaks to the brazenness of the shooters, and the hesitancy of witnesses to come forward.
In Newport News, Police Chief Steve Drew said on the day of the Gloucester Drive shooting that his investigators were gathering good information.
“The shooting did happen outside. There is some video floating around, that’s why we know that people were there who saw some things,” Chief Drew said.
He added: “I’m telling you both of these cases will be solved."
