New Orleans ended the year with one of the highest homicide rates in the country. At 280 homicides with a population of nearly 398,000, we had a rate of 70 homicides per 100,000 residents. This is the highest number of homicides New Orleans has seen since 1996.

It is important to note that, while we cross-check our numbers against coroner records, major offense logs, media reports, and any other source available, homicide numbers are subject to change as investigations progress. Homicides may be reclassified as “undetermined” if the coroner cannot definitively state whether the injury was self-inflicted, accidental, or intentional. More commonly, deaths initially listed as “unclassified” are reclassified as “homicide” after autopsy. 

In total, there were 704 shooting incidents (fatal + nonfatal) in 2022. Of these, 222 (32%) resulted in a fatality, compared to a 26% (175 out of 665 total incidents) rate of fatality in 2021 shootings.

Carjacking incidents seemed to wane towards the end of 2022. At 279 for the year, we ended with a 3% reduction in carjacking incidents compared to 2021, though we remain substantially higher compared with pre-2020 carjacking rates.

Armed robbery showed the greatest increase (+39%) compared with 2021. We ended 2022 with a reported 541 armed robbery incidents, compared with 388 in 2021. Notably, the rate of armed robbery in 2022 climbed well above pre-pandemic levels. 

We will be releasing more specific information on the types, locations, and dates of 2022 homicides later this week as part of our 2022 Orleans Crime Recap reports.  Subsequent 2022 Recap reports will include trends in property, weapons, and drug incidents.

Stay safe and have a great week!

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Established in 1952, The Metropolitan Crime Commission (MCC) is a non-profit 501 (c)(3), privately funded, citizens' organization dedicated to exposing public corruption and improving the administration of justice in order to improve the quality of life for the citizens of Louisiana

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