APRIL 2018

Black Homicide
Victimization in the
United States
An Analysis of 2015 Homicide Data

W W W.V P C . O R G

BLACK HOMICIDE VICTIMIZATION IN THE UNITED STATES

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COPYRIGHT AND ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Copyright © April 2018 Violence Policy Center
The Violence Policy Center (VPC) is a national nonprofit educational organization that conducts research and public education on
violence in America and provides information and analysis to policymakers, journalists, advocates, and the general public.
This study was funded with the support of The Joyce Foundation.
This study was also supported by generous gifts from Nicole Fealey, Cheryl Greer Jordan, Judy Seiff, and Christophe Tedjasukmana.
This study was authored by VPC Senior Policy Analyst Marty Langley and VPC Executive Director Josh Sugarmann.
For a complete list of VPC publications with document links, please visit http://www.vpc.org/publications/.
To learn more about the Violence Policy Center, or to make a tax-deductible contribution to help support our work,
please visit www.vpc.org.

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BLACK HOMICIDE VICTIMIZATION IN THE UNITED STATES

THE EPIDEMIC OF BLACK HOMICIDE VICTIMIZATION
The devastation homicide inflicts on black teens and adults is a national crisis, yet it is all too often ignored
outside of affected communities.
This study examines the problem of black homicide victimization at the state level by analyzing unpublished
Supplementary Homicide Report (SHR) data for black homicide victimization submitted to the Federal Bureau
of Investigation (FBI).1 The information used for this report is for the year 2015 and is the most recent data
available. This is the first analysis of the 2015 data on black homicide victims to offer breakdowns of cases in
the 10 states with the highest black homicide victimization rates and the first to rank the states by the rate of
black homicide victims.
It is important to note that the SHR data used in this report comes from law enforcement reporting at the local
level. While there are coding guidelines followed by the law enforcement agencies, the amount of information
submitted to the SHR system, and the interpretation that results in the information submitted (for example,
gang involvement) will vary from agency to agency. While this study utilizes the best and most recent data
available, it is limited by the quantity and degree of detail in the information submitted.2

NATIONAL DATA
According to the FBI SHR data, in 2015 there were 7,014 black homicide victims in the United States. The
homicide rate among black victims in the United States was 18.68 per 100,000. For that year, the overall
national homicide rate was 4.62 per 100,000. For whites, the national homicide rate was 2.67 per 100,000.
Additional information contained in the FBI SHR data on black homicide victimization is below.

GENDER
Of the 7,014 black homicide victims, 6,152 (88 percent) were male, and 862 (12 percent) were female. The
homicide rate for black male victims was 34.21 per 100,000. In comparison, the overall rate for male homicide
victims was 7.52 per 100,000. For white male homicide victims it was 3.90 per 100,000. The homicide rate for
female black victims was 4.41 per 100,000. In comparison, the overall rate for female homicide victims was
1.79 per 100,000. For white female homicide victims it was 1.45 per 100,000.

1	

The Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) Program collects basic information on serious crimes from participating police agencies
and records supplementary information about the circumstances of homicides in its unpublished Supplementary Homicide Report (SHR). Submitted monthly,
supplementary data consists of: the age, sex, race, and ethnicity of both victims and offenders; the types of weapons used; the relationship of victims to
offenders; and, the circumstances of the homicides. According to the FBI’s Uniform Crime Reporting Program, supplementary data are provided on only a subset
of homicide cases. Additionally, SHR data are updated throughout the year as homicide reports are forwarded by state UCR programs.

2	

In 2015, as in years past, the state of Florida did not submit any data to the FBI Supplementary Homicide Report. Also in 2015, data from Alabama was not
available from the FBI. Data from Florida and Alabama was not requested individually because the difference in collection techniques would create a bias in
the study results. In addition, Chicago and Rockford were the only two reporting agencies in Illinois to submit SHR data to the FBI for 2015. Beginning in 2016,
all Illinois law enforcement agencies will be required by state law to report SHR data to the FBI.

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AGE
Four hundred sixty-six black homicide victims (seven percent) were less than 18 years old and 122 black
homicide victims (two percent) were 65 years of age or older. The average age was 31 years old.

MOST COMMON WEAPONS
For homicides in which the weapon used could be identified, 86 percent of black victims (5,756 out of 6,716)
were shot and killed with guns. Of these, 71 percent (4,062 victims) were killed with handguns. There were
559 victims killed with knives or other cutting instruments, 206 victims killed by bodily force, and 106 victims
killed by a blunt object. In comparison, 66 percent of white victims and 76 percent of victims of all races were
killed with guns.

VICTIM/OFFENDER RELATIONSHIP
For homicides in which the victim to offender relationship could be identified, 75 percent of black victims
(2,211 out of 2,933) were killed by someone they knew. Seven hundred twenty-two victims were killed by
strangers.

CIRCUMSTANCE
For homicides in which the circumstances could be identified, 70 percent (2,829 out of 4,033) were not
related to the commission of any other felony. Of these, 51 percent (1,432 homicides) involved arguments
between the victim and the offender, and 16 percent (455 homicides) were reported to be gang-related.
Of these gang-related homicides, 25 percent (115 homicides) were in California, which may be in part due
to more comprehensive reporting. In California, 50 percent of non-felony related homicides of black victims
were reported to be gang-related.
There were 121 incidents reported as justifiable homicides of black victims killed by law enforcement in 2015.
The SHR does not specifically identify killings by law enforcement that are not ruled justifiable. In the wake of
controversial incidents of black citizens killed by law enforcement, media reports have focused on the lack of
reliable statistics on lethal incidents involving law enforcement. In December 2015, the FBI announced that it
would dramatically expand its data collection on violent police encounters by 2017.3 In October 2016, the U.S.
Department of Justice outlined a plan to improve the collection of law enforcement use of force data.4

STATE RANKINGS
In 2015, the national black homicide victimization rate was 18.68 per 100,000. For that year, Missouri ranked
first as the state with the highest black homicide victimization rate. Its rate of 46.24 per 100,000 was more
than double the national average for black homicide victimization. The 10 states with the highest black
homicide victimization rates are listed in the following chart. Additional information for each of these states
can be found in Appendix One, including: age and gender of victims; most common weapons used; relationship
of victim to offender; and, the circumstances of the homicides. According to the SHR data, 23 states had a
black homicide victimization rate higher than the national per capita rate of 18.68 per 100,000.
For an alphabetical listing of all states that submitted data to the FBI, please see Appendix Two.
3	

“FBI to sharply expand system for tracking fatal police shootings,” The Washington Post, December 8, 2015.

4	

“Justice Department Outlines Plan to Enable Nationwide Collection of Use of Force Data,” Department of Justice, Office of Public Affairs, October 13,
2016 (https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/justice-department-outlines-plan-enable-nationwide-collection-use-force-data).

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BLACK HOMICIDE VICTIMIZATION IN THE UNITED STATES

NUMBER OF BLACK HOMICIDE VICTIMS AND RATES BY STATE IN 2015, RANKED BY RATE
Ranking

State

Number of Homicides

Homicide Rate per 100,000

1

Missouri

332

46.24

2

Wisconsin

140

36.77

3

Oklahoma

91

30.10

4

Alaska

8

29.22

5

Nebraska

27

28.93

6

Michigan

388

27.56

7

Pennsylvania

405

27.04

8

Indiana

168

26.44

9

Kansas

45

25.02

West Virginia

16

24.32

10

CONCLUSION
Blacks in the United States are disproportionately affected by homicide. For the year 2015, blacks represented
13 percent of the nation’s population, yet accounted for 51 percent of all homicide victims.5
The devastation homicide inflicts on black teens and adults is a national crisis that should be a top priority for
policymakers to address. An important part of ending our nation’s gun violence epidemic will involve reducing
homicides impacting black men, women, boys, and girls.
In addition, individuals living in communities where violence is prevalent are at increased risk for a broad
range of negative health and behavior outcomes. An increased understanding of how trauma resulting from
community violence influences development, health, and behavior can lead to improvements in the way many
social services are delivered as well as policy changes at the local and federal levels.6
For black victims of homicide, like all victims of homicide, guns — usually handguns — are far and away the
number-one murder tool. Successful efforts to reduce America’s black homicide toll, like America’s homicide
toll as a whole, must put a focus on reducing access and exposure to firearms.

5	

FBI Supplementary Homicide Report 2015, U.S. Census Bureau population estimates.

6	

For more information on trauma and community violence, see the July 2017 Violence Policy Center study The Relationship Between Community Violence and
Trauma: How Violence Affects Learning, Health, and Behavior (http://www.vpc.org/studies/trauma17.pdf)

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Appendix One:
Additional Information for the 10 States with the Highest
Rates of Black Homicide Victimization

Missouri

There were 332 black homicide victims in Missouri in 2015.
The homicide rate among black victims in Missouri was 46.24 per 100,000 in 2015.
Ranked 1st in the United States
Age	 			

Twenty-one homicide victims (6 percent) were less than 18 years old and 4 victims
(1 percent) were 65 years of age or older. The average age was 29 years old.

Gender 			

Out of 332 homicide victims, 295 were male and 37 were female.

Most Common Weapons	

For homicides in which the weapon used could be identified, 93 percent of
victims (301 out of 325) were shot and killed with guns. Of these, 52 percent
(158 victims) were killed with handguns. There were 136 victims killed with
firearms, type not stated. There were 11 victims killed with knives or other
cutting instruments, 5 victims killed by bodily force, and 3 victims killed by a
blunt object.

Victim/Offender Relationship	 For homicides in which the victim to offender relationship could be identified, 79
percent of victims (82 out of 104) were killed by someone they knew. Twentytwo victims were killed by strangers.
Circumstance		

For homicides in which the circumstances could be identified, 52 percent (66 out of
128) were not related to the commission of any other felony. Of these, 85 percent
(56 homicides) involved arguments between the victim and the offender.

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BLACK HOMICIDE VICTIMIZATION IN THE UNITED STATES

Wisconsin

There were 140 black homicide victims in Wisconsin in 2015.
The homicide rate among black victims in Wisconsin was 36.77 per 100,000 in 2015.
Ranked 2nd in the United States
Age	 			

Eleven homicide victims (8 percent) were less than 18 years old and 1 victim (1
percent) was 65 years of age or older. The average age was 29 years old.

Gender			

Out of 140 homicide victims, 121 were male and 19 were female.

Most Common Weapons	

For homicides in which the weapon used could be identified, 85 percent of
victims (117 out of 137) were shot and killed with guns. Of these, 75 percent (88
victims) were killed with handguns. There were 29 victims killed with firearms,
type not stated. There were 12 victims killed with knives or other cutting
instruments, 5 victims killed by bodily force, and 1 victim killed by a blunt object.

Victim/Offender Relationship	 For homicides in which the victim to offender relationship could be identified, 56
percent of victims (40 out of 71) were killed by someone they knew. Thirty-one
victims were killed by strangers.
Circumstance		

For homicides in which the circumstances could be identified, 82 percent (58
out of 71) were not related to the commission of any other felony. Of these, 66
percent (38 homicides) involved arguments between the victim and the offender.

Oklahoma

There were 91 black homicide victims in Oklahoma in 2015.
The homicide rate among black victims in Oklahoma was 30.10 per 100,000 in 2015.
Ranked 3rd in the United States
Age				

Seven homicide victims (8 percent) were less than 18 years old. The average age
was 30 years old.

Gender			

Out of 91 homicide victims, 79 were male and 12 were female.

Most Common Weapons	

For homicides in which the weapon used could be identified, 78 percent of
victims (68 out of 87) were shot and killed with guns. Of these, 82 percent (56
victims) were killed with handguns. There were 6 victims killed with firearms,
type not stated. There were 9 victims killed with knives or other cutting
instruments, 7 victims killed by bodily force, and 1 victim killed by a blunt object.

Victim/Offender Relationship	 For homicides in which the victim to offender relationship could be identified, 73
percent of victims (49 out of 67) were killed by someone they knew. Eighteen
victims were killed by strangers.
Circumstance		

For homicides in which the circumstances could be identified, 74 percent (56 out
of 76) were not related to the commission of any other felony. Of these, 48 percent
(27 homicides) involved arguments between the victim and the offender.

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Alaska

There were 8 black homicide victims in Alaska in 2015.
The homicide rate among black victims in Alaska was 29.22 per 100,000 in 2015.
Ranked 4th in the United States
Age	 			

One homicide victim (13 percent) was less than 18 years old. The average age
was 30 years old.

Gender			

Out of 8 homicide victims, 5 were male and 3 were female.

Most Common Weapons	

For homicides in which the weapon used could be identified, 88 percent of
victims (7 out of 8) were shot and killed with guns. There were 7 victims killed
with firearms, type not stated.

Victim/Offender Relationship	 For homicides in which the victim to offender relationship could be identified,
100 percent of victims (5 out of 5) were killed by someone they knew.
Circumstance		

For homicides in which the circumstances could be identified, 33 percent (2
out of 6) were not related to the commission of any other felony. Of these, 50
percent (1 homicide) involved arguments between the victim and the offender.

Nebraska

There were 27 black homicide victims in Nebraska in 2015.
The homicide rate among black victims in Nebraska was 28.93 per 100,000 in 2015.
Ranked 5th in the United States
Age	 			

The average age was 33 years old.

Gender			

Out of 27 homicide victims, 25 were male and 2 were female.

Most Common Weapons	

For homicides in which the weapon used could be identified, 93 percent of victims
(25 out of 27) were shot and killed with guns. Of these, 96 percent (24 victims)
were killed with handguns. There were 2 victims killed with knives or other cutting
instruments.

Victim/Offender Relationship	 For homicides in which the victim to offender relationship could be identified, 91
percent of victims (10 out of 11) were killed by someone they knew. One victim
was killed by a stranger.
Circumstance		

For homicides in which the circumstances could be identified, 74 percent (17 out
of 23) were not related to the commission of any other felony. Of these, 6 percent
(1 homicide) involved arguments between the victim and the offender.

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BLACK HOMICIDE VICTIMIZATION IN THE UNITED STATES

Michigan

There were 388 black homicide victims in Michigan in 2015.
The homicide rate among black victims in Michigan was 27.56 per 100,000 in 2015.
Ranked 6th in the United States
Age				

Twenty-two homicide victims (6 percent) were less than 18 years old and 8 victims
(2 percent) were 65 years of age or older. The average age was 33 years old.

Gender			

Out of 388 homicide victims, 345 were male and 43 were female.

Most Common Weapons	

For homicides in which the weapon used could be identified, 87 percent of
victims (320 out of 369) were shot and killed with guns. Of these, 41 percent
(130 victims) were killed with handguns. There were 177 victims killed with
firearms, type not stated. There were 26 victims killed with knives or other
cutting instruments, 9 victims killed by bodily force, and 7 victims killed by a
blunt object.

Victim/Offender Relationship	 For homicides in which the victim to offender relationship could be identified,
80 percent of victims (71 out of 89) were killed by someone they knew. Eighteen
victims were killed by strangers.
Circumstance		

For homicides in which the circumstances could be identified, 85 percent (117
out of 138) were not related to the commission of any other felony. Of these, 51
percent (60 homicides) involved arguments between the victim and the offender.

Pennsylvania

There were 405 black homicide victims in Pennsylvania in 2015.
The homicide rate among black victims in Pennsylvania was 27.04 per 100,000 in 2015.
Ranked 7th in the United States
Age	 			

Twenty-eight homicide victims (7 percent) were less than 18 years old and 4 victims
(1 percent) were 65 years of age or older. The average age was 30 years old.

Gender			

Out of 405 homicide victims, 373 were male and 32 were female.

Most Common Weapons	

For homicides in which the weapon used could be identified, 91 percent of
victims (351 out of 387) were shot and killed with guns. Of these, 82 percent
(288 victims) were killed with handguns. There were 48 victims killed with
firearms, type not stated. There were 25 victims killed with knives or other cutting
instruments, 9 victims killed by bodily force, and 1 victim killed by a blunt object.

Victim/Offender Relationship	 For homicides in which the victim to offender relationship could be identified, 83
percent of victims (122 out of 147) were killed by someone they knew. Twentyfive victims were killed by strangers.
Circumstance		

For homicides in which the circumstances could be identified, 48 percent (148
out of 307) were not related to the commission of any other felony. Of these, 77
percent (114 homicides) involved arguments between the victim and the offender.

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Indiana

There were 168 black homicide victims in Indiana in 2015.
The homicide rate among black victims in Indiana was 26.44 per 100,000 in 2015.
Ranked 8th in the United States
Age				

Seventeen homicide victims (10 percent) were less than 18 years old and 3 victims
(2 percent) were 65 years of age or older. The average age was 30 years old.

Gender			

Out of 168 homicide victims, 143 were male and 25 were female.

Most Common Weapons	

For homicides in which the weapon used could be identified, 92 percent of victims
(152 out of 166) were shot and killed with guns. Of these, 73 percent (111 victims)
were killed with handguns. There were 34 victims killed with firearms, type not
stated. There were 5 victims killed with knives or other cutting instruments, 3
victims killed by bodily force, and 5 victims killed by a blunt object.

Victim/Offender Relationship	 For homicides in which the victim to offender relationship could be identified,
85 percent of victims (66 out of 78) were killed by someone they knew. Twelve
victims were killed by strangers.
Circumstance		

For homicides in which the circumstances could be identified, 64 percent (77
out of 120) were not related to the commission of any other felony. Of these, 49
percent (38 homicides) involved arguments between the victim and the offender.

Kansas

There were 45 black homicide victims in Kansas in 2015.
The homicide rate among black victims in Kansas was 25.02 per 100,000 in 2015.
Ranked 9th in the United States
Age	 			

Six homicide victims (14 percent) were less than 18 years old. The average age was
27 years old.

Gender			

Out of 45 homicide victims, 33 were male and 12 were female.

Most Common Weapons	

For homicides in which the weapon used could be identified, 82 percent of
victims (37 out of 45) were shot and killed with guns. Of these, 57 percent (21
victims) were killed with handguns. There were 13 victims killed with firearms,
type not stated. There were 2 victims killed with knives or other cutting
instruments and 6 victims killed by bodily force.

Victim/Offender Relationship	 For homicides in which the victim to offender relationship could be identified, 91
percent of victims (21 out of 23) were killed by someone they knew. Two victims
were killed by strangers.
Circumstance		

For homicides in which the circumstances could be identified, 91 percent (20
out of 22) were not related to the commission of any other felony. Of these, 45
percent (9 homicides) involved arguments between the victim and the offender.

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BLACK HOMICIDE VICTIMIZATION IN THE UNITED STATES

West Virginia

There were 16 black homicide victims in West Virginia in 2015.
The homicide rate among black victims in West Virginia was 24.32 per 100,000 in 2015.
Ranked 10th in the United States
Age	 			

Three homicide victims (19 percent) were less than 18 years old. The average age
was 24 years old.

Gender			

Out of 16 homicide victims, 14 were male and 2 were female.

Most Common Weapons	

For homicides in which the weapon used could be identified, 85 percent of
victims (11 out of 13) were shot and killed with guns. Of these, 73 percent (8
victims) were killed with handguns. There were 3 victims killed with firearms,
type not stated. There was 1 victim killed with a knife or other cutting instrument
and 1 victim killed by bodily force.

Victim/Offender Relationship	 For homicides in which the victim to offender relationship could be identified, 85
percent of victims (11 out of 13) were killed by someone they knew. Two victims
were killed by strangers.
Circumstance		

For homicides in which the circumstances could be identified, 75 percent (6 out of
8) were not related to the commission of any other felony. Of these, 50 percent (3
homicides) involved an argument between the victim and the offender.

United States

There were 7,014 black homicide victims in the United States in 2015.
The homicide rate among black victims in the United States was 18.68 per 100,000 in 2015.
Age				

Four hundred sixty-six homicide victims (7 percent) were less than 18 years old
and 122 victims (2 percent) were 65 years of age or older. The average age was
31 years old.

Gender			

Out of 7,014 homicide victims, 6,152 were male and 862 were female.

Most Common Weapons	

For homicides in which the weapon used could be identified, 86 percent of
victims (5,756 out of 6,716) were shot and killed with guns. Of these, 71 percent
(4,062 victims) were killed with handguns. There were 1,429 victims killed with
firearms, type not stated. There were 559 victims killed with knives or other
cutting instruments, 206 victims killed by bodily force, and 106 victims killed by
a blunt object.

Victim/Offender Relationship	 For homicides in which the victim to offender relationship could be identified, 75
percent of victims (2,211 out of 2,933) were killed by someone they knew. Seven
hundred twenty-two victims were killed by strangers.
Circumstance		

For homicides in which the circumstances could be identified, 70 percent
(2,829 out of 4,033) were not related to the commission of any other felony.
Of these, 51 percent (1,432 homicides) involved arguments between the victim
and the offender.

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Appendix Two:
Number of Black Homicide Victims and Rates by State in 2015
State Ranking
by Rate

State

Number of Homicides

Alabama

N/A

N/A

4

Alaska

8

29.22

28

Arizona

53

16.21

22

Arkansas

89

19.09

15

California

549

21.64

20

Colorado

50

20.56

38

Connecticut

51

12.25

14

Delaware

47

22.18

Florida

N/A

N/A

33

Georgia

439

13.52

44

Hawaii

2

6.68

43

Idaho

1

7.38

18

7

Illinois

394

20.88

8

Indiana

168

26.44

16

Iowa

24

21.63

9

Kansas

45

25.02

13

Kentucky

83

22.80

11

Louisiana

360

23.71

1

5.13

47 (tie)

Maine

17

Maryland

389

21.24

41

Massachusetts

58

10.08

6

Michigan

388

27.56

23

Minnesota

63

18.92

40

Mississippi

118

10.49

1

Missouri

332

46.24

26

Montana

1

17.24

5

Nebraska

27

28.93

21

Nevada

55

20.42

New Hampshire

1

5.13

47 (tie)

7	

Homicide Rate per
100,000

24

New Jersey

242

18.19

25

New Mexico

9

17.44

Chicago and Rockford were the only two reporting agencies in Illinois to submit SHR data to the FBI for 2015. Beginning in 2016, all Illinois law
enforcement agencies will be required by state law to report SHR data to the FBI.

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BLACK HOMICIDE VICTIMIZATION IN THE UNITED STATES

State Ranking
by Rate

State

Number of Homicides

Homicide Rate per
100,000

34

North Carolina

299

13.43

30

North Dakota

3

15.21

19

Ohio

304

20.57

3

Oklahoma

91

30.10

46

Oregon

5

5.98

7

Pennsylvania

405

27.04

31

Rhode Island

12

14.33

27

South Carolina

231

17.08

45

South Dakota

1

6.14

12

Tennessee

265

23.50

29

Texas

530

15.43

42

Utah

3

7.57

37

Vermont

1

12.62

32

Virginia

226

13.68

35

Washington

39

13.34

10

West Virginia

16

24.32

2

Wisconsin

140

36.77

36

Wyoming

1

12.86

U.S. Total

7,014

18.68

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