Minnesota 8th in Nation in Per Capita Rate of Black Homicide Victimization
State's Black Homicide Rate of 24.45 Per 100,000 is Five Times National Overall Homicide Rate of 4.86 per 100,000
Minnesota has the 8th highest rate of black homicide victimization in the nation according to a new analysis of unpublished Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Supplementary Homicide Report (SHR) data released today by the Violence Policy Center (VPC). The study, Black Homicide Victimization in the United States: An Analysis of 2004 Homicide Data, uses 2004 data—the most recent data available from the FBI—and is the first analysis to rank the 50 states according to their black homicide rates. The study found overwhelmingly that firearms, usually handguns, were the weapon of choice in the homicides.
The 'top' 10 states with each state's corresponding black homicide victimization rates are: 1) Pennsylvania, 29.52 per 100,000; 2) Louisiana, 29.48 per 100,000; 3) Indiana, 29.30 per 100,000; 4) California, 28.95 per 100,000; 5) Missouri, 28.63 per 100,000; 6) Michigan, 28.27 per 100,000; 7) Maryland, 24.64 per 100,000; 8) Minnesota, 24.45 per 100,000; 9) Nevada, 23.67 per 100,000; and, 10) Arizona, 21.54 per 100,000.
The study warns that "the toll that homicide exacts on black teens and young adults in America, both male and female, is disproportionate, disturbing, and undeniable" and concludes, "As efforts are made to reduce America's black homicide victimization toll, the unique facilitating role of firearms cannot be ignored."
Minnesota’s 2004 results
80% of the victims were shot and killed with guns, 91% of those with handguns.
Two victims were under 18 years of age.
84% of the victims were male.
A few national statistics:
- From 1985 to 1993, firearm homicides rose 158% among black men ages 15 to 19. [FBI Uniform Crime Reports, 1994]
- Homicide is the second leading cause of death for all persons 15 to 24 years of age. It is the leading cause of death for African-Americans in this age group.[Centers for Disease Control, 1999]
- Nine out of 10 African Americans ages 15 to 24 who were homicide victims were killed with a firearms. [Centers for Disease Control, 1999]
- As of 1995, suicide is the third leading cause of death among African American youth ages 10 to 19. Sixty-six percent (66%) of these suicides were committed with firearms. [Centers for Disease Control, 1999]