NYC shootings reach record low in first nine months of the year, but the age of victims is decreasing.

Shootings in New York City have experienced a significant decline of 20% during the first nine months of this year, according to data released by the New York Police Department (NYPD) on Wednesday. This reduction translates to a total of 553 shooting incidents investigated by the end of September, which is 140 fewer than reported during the same period last year. These figures mark the lowest number of recorded shootings since the launch of the CompStat system in 1994.

Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch highlighted this notable decrease in shooting incidents during a press conference at NYPD Headquarters. She reported that this year has witnessed the fewest shootings recorded within the first nine months compared to prior years.

Despite the overall drop in shootings, a concerning trend has emerged: the age of shooting victims is notably decreasing. NYPD Chief of Crime Control Strategies Michael LePetri indicated that 25% of shooting victims within the last two weeks were under the age of 18. A recent example of this disturbing trend is the case of 13-year-old Sanjay Samuel, who was shot outside a Dunkin’ store in Queens on September 22 by a rival teenager.

Mayor Eric Adams underscored that overall crime has diminished for two consecutive years. He emphasized the administration’s commitment to public safety, asserting that New York City continues to be considered the safest large city in America.

In addition to the drop in shooting incidents, the number of shooting victims has decreased by 19%, from 857 last year to 694 this year. Homicides in the city have also seen a 17% reduction, dropping from 293 to 241 during the same time frame.

These reductions in crime follow a recent surge in gun violence in the Bronx, which prompted the mayor to announce the allocation of 1,000 additional officers to the borough. This strategic deployment is part of a broader initiative to engage with gang members and address the root causes of violence.

City officials noted that the July to September timeframe represented the safest third quarter ever recorded for the subway system, with crimes underground falling by 4%, dropping from 1,648 to 1,578 incidents compared to the previous year. Additional statistics reveal a 9% reduction in robberies and a 3% decrease in burglaries.

Violent assaults have witnessed a slight decrease, with reported attacks falling by less than 1%, totaling 9,410—a reduction of 189 incidents from the previous year. Tisch attributed these improvements in public safety to the NYPD’s precision-policing model, which strategically deploys police resources to high-crime areas.

The NYPD’s focused efforts have led to historic lows in both shooting incidents and subway crime. However, one crime category recorded an increase: reported rapes rose 18%, from 1,274 to 1,514 cases, largely due to legislative changes that expanded the legal definition of rape in New York State.

As the NYPD continues its data-driven strategies aimed at combating violence, the results so far indicate a significant push towards improving community safety throughout the city.

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