HOMICIDE REPORT
2017
LOS ANGELES POLICE DEPARTMENT
CHARLIE BECKCHIEF OF POLICE
HOMICIDE REPORT2017
LOS ANGELES POLICE DEPARTMENT
CHARLIE BECKCHIEF OF POLICE
281
574
812
569
395
283 294 282
1967 1977 1987 1997 2007 2015 2016 2017
Page 1
2017 vs. 2016-4.1%
“to protect and to serve”
2017 HOMICIDE REPORT
CITYWIDE HOMICIDE TOTALS
In 2017, the City of Los Angeles had 282 homicides. The following are key points:
● The total homicide number includes victims who were assaulted in previous years, but died in 2017, and/or death investigations ruled as homicides in 2017 by the Los Angeles County, Department of Medical Examiner - Coroner.
● A total of 207 homicide cases were cleared in 2017, resulting in a 73.4 percent clearance rate. This clearance rate includes the total number of homicides cleared in 2017, regardless of the year the homicides actually occurred. In 2017, the total number of homicides cleared includes 68 homicides that occurred prior to 2017.
● Comparedtothepreviousyear,thepercentageoffirearmsusedinhomicides by gang members rose in 2017 from 72 percent to 93 percent.
● Within the homeless population, there were 44 homicide victims and 33 homicide suspects in 2017.
All information was received from the Consolidated Crime Analysis Database (CCAD), unless noted.
2017 homicide report
Homicide Cases Solved by area
81
116
29
56
77
124
28
6574
118
34
57
OCB OSB OWB OVB
2017 2016 2015
Page 2
Homicide by Bureau
Bureau 2017 2016 %CHG 2015 %CHG
OCB 81 77 +5.2% 74 +9.5%
OSB 116 124 -6.5% 118 -1.7%
OWB 29 28 +3.6% 34 -14.7%
OVB 56 65 -13.8% 57 -1.8%
CITY TOTAL 282 294 -4.1% 283 -0.4%
21
17
26
5
12
49
16
31
20
47
19
7 810
1 2
13
52
7
11 14
20
10
22
45
20
26
33
710
1512
75
97 8 7
1
5
11 12
27
1311
53
10
34
21
3
13
17
7 85 4
810 10
24
CENT HOBK NEWT NOE RAMP 77th HARB SOE SOW DEV FTHL MISN NHWD VNYS WVAL TOP HWD OLYM PAC WLA WIL
2017 2016 2015
HIGH: 77th (49)LOW: TOPANGA (1)
21
12
17
5
26
20
16
49
31
2
7
25
13
810
7 74
19
1
14
20
6 7
18
11 11
26 27
4 5 4 4
10
68
6 75
7
1
C E NT R AMP HO B K NO E NE W T S O W HAR B 7 7 T H S O E HW D W I L W LA PAC O LYM V NYS W V AL NHW D FT HL DE V MI S N T OPOccured Cleared
Page 3
NOTE: Clearance rates are attributed to the 21 Geographic Areas where thehomicides occurred, regardless of which entity was the investigating unit.
NOTE: Among the 207 cases cleared this year, 139 were homicides that occurred in 2017.
Citywide Clearance Rate73.4%
33
14
19
32
22 23
17
21
2528 27
21
26
2224
22
13
2825
30 29
36
19 1921
1517
2623
2623
39
30
2321
19
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun July Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec
2017 2016 2015
CITYWIDE HIGHS AND LOWS BY MONTH
February accounted for the lowest month (14 homicides), totaling 5.0% of the homicides.January accounted for the highest month (33 homicides), totaling 11.7% of the homicides.
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2017 2016 2015
73.4% 72.4% 64.7%CLEARANCE RATE
Homicide by Bureau
Homicide by Area
Citywide Homicide Clearance Rate
8
15
19
0
5
43
15
21
8
1 2
14
3 2
7
02
41 1
6
1
14
7
1
9
35
13
22 21
03
9
14
1
5
1
53
02
0
1013
5 4
41
3
31
10
0
119
4 41 2 2
6 6
1 2
CENT HOBK NEWT NOE RAMP 77th HARB SOE SOW DEV FTHL MISN NHWD VNYS WVAL TOP HWD OLYM PAC WLA WIL
2017 2016 2015
Firearms93%
Other Weapons
7%
Page 4
16
6
11
24
1617
11
18
13
1718
10
16
13
17
13
7
12
16 1618
17
57
12
6
10
18
1516
12
25
1715
13
6
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
2017 2016 2015
GANG RELATED HOMICIDES BY MONTH HIGH: APR (24) LOW: FEB (6)
177157 165
105
137118
2017 2016 2015
Gang Related Non-Gang Related
GANG RELATED / NON-GANG RELATED
Gang Member Victims
56%
Non Gang Victims
44%
Page 5
WEAPONS USEDBY GANG MEMBERS
NOTE: Information provided by investigating officers. Some incidents had more than one suspect.
GANG RELATED HOMICIDES BY AREA
VICTIMS MURDEREDBY GANG MEMBERS
HIGH: 77th (43) LOW: TOPANGA (0) NORTHEAST (0)
• 117 homicide suspects identified as gang members were responsible for the death of 103 victims.• Among the 103 victims, 58 victims were gang members
GANG RELATED HOMICIDES GANG RELATED HOMICIDES BY BUREAU
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2017 2016 %CHG 2015 %CHG
TOTAL HOMICIDES 282 294 -4.1% 283 -0.4%
GANG HOMICIDES 177 157 +12.7% 165 +7.3%
GANG RELATED % 62.8% 53.4% 58.3%
Gang Related homicides
Gang related / non-gang related
weapons usedby gang members
48
87
29
14
32
91
23
11
32
85
31
17
OCB OSB OVB OWB
2017 2016 2015
MOTIVES DIVISION NO. OF VICTIMS
77TH 4
SOUTHEAST 1
MISSION 1
DISPUTE CENTRAL 1 1 2
CHILD ABUSE NEWTON 1 1 2
SOUTHEAST 1 2
NO. HOLLYWOOD 1 2
TOTAL 20
NO. OF INCIDENTS
10
GANG 6 12
UNKNOWN 2
2017 2016 %CHG
76 80 -5.0%
36 50
2017 2016 %CHG
95 86 +10.4%
45 52
2017 2016 %CHG
12 8 +50.0%
2 6
2017 2016 %CHG
14 8 +75.0%
7 3GANG RELATED
BLACK SUSP AND BLACK VICT
GANG RELATED
HISPANIC SUSP AND HISPANIC VICT
GANG RELATED
BLACK SUSP AND HISPANIC VICT
GANG RELATED
HISPANIC SUSP AND BLACK VICT
-28.0%
-13.5%
-66.7%
+133.3%
MULTIPLE VICTIM HOMICIDE CASES
Page 6
In 2017, the City of Los Angeles experienced a 33 percent decrease in multiple victim homicide incidents compared to the prior year. Ten incidents resulted in 10 separate double homicides, totaling the loss of 20 lives. These multiple homicide incidents took place throughout the city with a wide range of motives from disputes to gang violence.
● Six incidents involving gang activity resulted in the shooting deaths of two victims in each case. Out of the six cases, four occurred in 77th Area, one in Southeast Area, and one in Mission Area. Four of the twenty victims were previously documented as gang members.
● A dispute at a social club in Central Area resulted in the stabbing deaths of two victims by one suspect.
● Two incidents were committed for unknown motives. In the first incident, a shooting in Southeast Area resulted in the deaths of two male transients. In the second incident, a shooting in North Hollywood Area between two separate groups of suspects resulted in the deaths of two and the wounding of two.
● Two children were murdered by their mother in Newton Area.
MURDER-SUICIDE INCIDENTS
The City of Los Angeles experienced five murder-suicide incidents in 2017. All five incidents were related to Domestic Violence:
(1) Pacific Area (1) North Hollywood Area (1) Foothill Area (1) Devonshire Area (1) Mission Area
NOTE: Information provided by investigating officers.
Page 7
NOTE: Data contained in these charts only pertain to the 146 incidents where a suspect description was provided during the course of the investigation.
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SIGNIFICANT HOMICIDE TRENDSMurder-suicide incidents
multiple victim homicide cases
significant homicide trends
“to protect and to serve”Page 8 Page 9
VICTIM PROFILE
VICTIM GENDER
Approximately 9 out of 10 homicide victims in Los Angeles are men. Of the 282 homicides that occurred in 2017, 89% were males and 11% were females.
VICTIM DESCENT
Similar to previous years, the overwhelming majority of homicide victims in 2017 were of Hispanic and Black descents. Of the 282 homicides that occurred in 2017, more than 53% involved Hispanic victims, and more than 36% involved Black victims. Whites, Asians, and other descents combined, represent less than 10% of the total number of 2017 homicides.
VICTIM AGE
More than half of the homicide victims in 2017 were between the ages of 18 and 35 which accounted for 59%. 20 to 30 year-old victims made up 38% of the total number.
VICTIM EDUCATION
32
250
0 100 200 300
Female
Male
13
104
150
4
11
0 50 100 150 200
White
Black
Hispanic
Asian
Other
10
76
93
46
57
0 20 40 60 80 100
0-17
18-25
26-35
36-45
over 45
Eighty-four percent of the homicide victims had an education level of high school or less than high school. Only 11 victims or less-than 4% had some college education.
VICTIM MEDIAN HOUSEHOLD INCOME
Approximately 67% of the homicide victims had a median household income of $25,000 or less. Based on the current census data, the average median household income in the City of Los Angeles is approximately $55,000.
SUSPECT PROFILE
SUSPECT GENDER
Mirroring homicide victims, the overwhelming majority of identified homicide suspects for 2017 homicides were men. The number of male suspects who engaged in homicides (91%) was higher than those who became victims of homicides (89%).
SUSPECT DESCENT
Of the 171 identified suspects, 52% were of Hispanic descent, and 40% were of Black descent. Other suspects included: White 6%, Asian 1.7%, and other descents 2%.
SUSPECT AGE
Almost half of the homicide suspects were youths and young adults. Approximately 45% were age 25 or younger, and 29% were between the ages of 26 and 35.
SUSPECT EDUCATION
NOTE: All information was provided by investigating officers. The above analysis is based on the 171 identified suspects that were responsible for 146 homicides in 2017. Some incidents had more than one suspect.
16
155
0 50 100 150 200
Female
Male
11
69
84
3
4
0 20 40 60 80 100
White
Black
Hispanic
Asian
Other
8
69
49
24
21
0 20 40 60 80
0-17
18-25
26-35
36-45
over 45
Approximately 87% of the homicide suspects have an education level of high school or less. Only 2% of the suspects have some college education.
SUSPECT MEDIAN HOUSEHOLD INCOME
The majority of the homicide suspects (64%) have a median household income of $25,000 or less. Based on the current census data, average median household income in the City of Los Angeles is approximately $55,000.
Page 11“to protect and to serve”
COMMUNITY SAFETY PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM
The Community Safety Partnership (CSP) Program began as a partnership between the LAPD and the Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles (HACLA) in October of 2011. Currently, the program encompasses housing communities within Hollenbeck, Newton and Southeast Area. The program was designed to improve and strengthen the relationship between residents of Los Angeles housing communities and the LAPD.
Since the program’s inception, officers have implemented over twenty CSP youth programs. The results of these programs include mental health services to address untreated trauma, participation in self-respect building programs for children, alternatives to booking and entrance into the judicial system for children, and community building through sports and productive competition.
This relationship-based policing model focuses on education and problem solving before enforcement. This allows for full-time, dedicated police officers to be assigned to seven housing communities within the City of Los Angeles. On a daily basis, these police officers walk foot beats, building relationships with the residents and decreasing community fear. As a result, the program provides members of the community a means to safely pass along crime information to law enforcement, aiding in the reduction of violent crimes.
CSP AREA HOMICIDES
In 2010, prior to the implementation of the CSP program, a total of 11 homicides were reported in the seven housing communities that are currently identified as CSP areas. In 2017 the seven CSP areas reported a total of 3 homicides. Over the course of the CSP program, the number of homicides within the CSP areas has gradually decreased.
2017 2016 2015 2014 2011 2010
RAMONA GARDENS 2 0 0 0 0 1IMPERIAL COURTS 0 1 1 1 1 3
NICKERSON GARDENS 0 0 2 3 1 3GONZAQUE VILLAGE 1 0 0 0 0 2
JORDAN DOWNS 0 0 1 0 2 0AVALON GARDENS 0 0 0 1 0 1
PUEBLOS 0 0 3 1 1 1
TOTAL 3 1 7 6 5 11
Page 10
Part-1 Violent Crimes
NOTE: Information provided by investigating officers.
NOTE: The total number of firearms seized does not include the firearms recovered during the City of Los Angeles gun buy back program.
G a ng
D o me stic V iole nce
O the r M O
G a ng
D o me stic V iole nce
O the r M O
Other MO
Page 12
TOP 3 MODUS OPERANDI FOR 2017 1. Gang 2. Dispute/Revenge 3. Domestic Violence
PREMISE 2017 2016Street/Sidewalk 58% 55% Parking Lot 9% 6%Single Family Dwelling 6% 11%Multi-Unit Dwelling 5% 9%
Street/Sidewalk58%
Multi-Unit Dwelling
5%
Single Family Dwelling
6%
Parking Lot9%
Other Premises22%
Page 13
WEAPON 2017 2016 Handgun 72% 69%Cutting Instrument 15% 14%Bodily Force 6% 6%Blunt Instrument 4% 3%Shotgun 1% 1%Rifle 1% 1%Assault Weapon 1% 1%
NOTE: Information provided by investigating officers.
FIREARMS SEIZED 2017 2016 Citywide Total OSB OCB OVB OWB OUTSIDE (City of LA)
HOMICIDES IN THE CITY OF LOS ANGELES
6,538 5,9072,103 1,7881,275 1,1151,867 1,831 858 883 435 290
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Dispute
49
31
20
16
26 27
11 11
77TH Southeast Southwest Harbor
Number of Homicides Number of Clearances
South Bureau
Page 14
● Operations-South Bureau had a total of 116 homicides which accounted for 41.1% of the citywide homicides.
● 77th Division had the largest percentage of gang related homicides: 43 of 49 homicides accounted for 87.8%.
Bureau Clearance Rate 64.7%
NUMBER OF HOMICIDES AND CLEARANCES
NOTE: Information provided by investigating officers.
Page 15
NOTE: Domestic violence as defined in Penal Code section 13700.
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TYPE OF WEAPON USED
DIVISIONS 2017 2016 %CHG 2015 %CHG
SOUTHWEST 20 33 -39.4% 21 -4.8%
SOUTHEAST 31 26 +19.2% 34 -8.8%
77TH 49 45 +8.9% 53 -7.5%
HARBOR 16 20 -20.0% 10 +60.0%
TOTAL 116 124 -6.5% 118 -1.7%
GANG RELATED
DIVISIONS 2017 2016 %CHG 2015 %CHG
SOUTHWEST 8 21 -61.9% 10 -20.0%
SOUTHEAST 21 22 -4.5% 31 -32.3%
77TH 43 35 +22.9% 41 +4.9%
HARBOR 15 13 +15.4% 3 +400%
TOTAL 87 91 -4.4% 85 +2.4%
BUREAU 2017 2016 %CHG 2015 %CHG
SOUTH 3 1 +200% 2 +50.0%
HOMICIDE TOTALS
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
95
611
0 1 3
Handgun Rifle/Shotgun
Knife/ CuttingInstrument
BluntInstrument
Bodily Force Other Weapons
number of homicides and clearances
type of weapon used
54
1
14
6 51
Handgun Rifle/Shotgun
Knife/ CuttingInstrument
BluntInstrument
Bodily Force Other Weapons
DIVISIONS 2017 2016 %CHG 2015 %CHG
CENTRAL 21 11 +91.0% 11 +91.0%
RAMPART 12 22 -45.5% 11 +9.1%
HOLLENBECK 17 14 +21.5% 12 +41.7%
NORTHEAST 5 10 -50.0% 13 -61.6%
NEWTON 26 20 27 -3.7%
TOTAL 81 77 +5.2% 74 +9.5%
GANG RELATED
DIVISIONS 2017 2016 %CHG 2015 %CHG
CENTRAL 8 1 +700% 0 +800%
RAMPART 5 9 -44.5% 4 +25.0%
HOLLENBECK 15 14 +7.2% 10 +50.0%
NORTHEAST 0 1 -100% 5 -100%
NEWTON 19 7 +171% 13 +46.2%
TOTAL 47 32 +46.9% 32 +46.9%
BUREAU 2017 2016 %CHG 2015 %CHG
CENTRAL 2 4 -50.0% 1 +100%
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
HOMICIDE TOTALS
+30.0%
Central Bureau
Page 16
● Operations-Central Bureau had a total of 81 homicides which accounted for 28.7% of the citywide homicides.
● Newton Division had the largest percentage of gang related homicides: 19 of 26 homicides accounted for 73.1%.
NUMBER OF HOMICIDES AND CLEARANCES
TYPE OF WEAPON USED
NOTE: Information provided by investigating officers.
Page 17
NOTE: Domestic violence as defined in Penal Code section 13700.
“to protect and to serve”
12
17
26
21
5
20
6
18
14
7
Rampart Hollenbeck Newton Central Northeast
Number of Homicides Number of Clearances
Bureau Clearance Rate 80.2%
type of weapon used
37
1
9
1
7
1
Handgun Rifle/Shotgun
Knife/ CuttingInstrument
BluntInstrument
Bodily Force Other Weapons
DIVISIONS 2017 2016 %CHG 2015 %CHG
WEST VALLEY 10 5 +100% 5 +100%
DEVONSHIRE 4 7 -42.9% 3 +33.3%
MISSION 19 15 +26.7% 17 +11.8%
NORTH HOLLYWOOD 7 12 -41.7% 7
FOOTHILL 7 10 -30.0% 13 -46.2%
VAN NUYS 8 7 +14.3% 8
TOPANGA 1 9 -88.9% 4 -75.0%
TOTAL 56 65 -13.8% 57 -1.8%
GANG RELATED
DIVISIONS 2017 2016 %CHG 2015 %CHG
WEST VALLEY 7 1 +600% 1 +600%
DEVONSHIRE 1 0 +100% 0 +100%
MISSION 14 9 +55.6% 9 +55.6%
NORTH HOLLYWOOD 3 1 +200% 4 -25.0%
FOOTHILL 2 3 -33.3% 11 -81.8%
VAN NUYS 2 4 -50.0% 4 -50.0%
TOPANGA 0 5 -100% 2 -100%
TOTAL 29 23 +26.1% 31 -6.5%
BUREAU 2017 2016 %CHG 2015 %CHG
VALLEY 8 2 +300% 3 +167%
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
HOMICIDE TOTALS
0.0%
0.0%
8
10
7 7
4
19
1
6
8
67 5
7
1
Van Nuys West Valley NorthHollywood
Foothill Devonshire Mission Topanga
Number of Homicides Number of Clearances
Valley Bureau ● Operations-Valley Bureau had a total of 56 homicides which accounted for 19.9%
of the citywide homicides.
● Mission Division had the largest percentage of gang related homicides: 14 of 19 homicides accounted for 73.7%
Page 18
Bureau Clearance Rate 71.4%
TYPE OF WEAPON USED
NUMBER OF HOMICIDES AND CLEARANCES
NOTE: Information provided by investigating officers.
Page 19
NOTE: Domestic violence as defined in Penal Code section 13700.
“to protect and to serve”
number of homicides and clearances
type of weapon used
16
0
7
3 3
0
Handgun Rifle/Shotgun
Knife/ CuttingInstrument
BluntInstrument
Bodily Force Other Weapons
7
2 2
13
55
4 4
10
4
Wilshire West LA Hollywood Olympic Pacific
Number of Homicides Number of Clearances
West Bureau
Page 20
● Operations-West Bureau had a total of 29 homicides which accounted for 10.3% of the citywide homicides.
● Wilshire Division had the largest percentage of gang related homicides: 6 of 7 homicides accounted for 85.7%.
TYPE OF WEAPON USED
NUMBER OF HOMICIDES AND CLEARANCES
Bureau Clearance Rate 80.0%
NOTE: Information provided by investigating officers.
Page 21
NOTE: Domestic violence as defined in Penal Code section 13700.
“to protect and to serve”
DIVISIONS 2017 2016 %CHG 2015 %CHG
HOLLYWOOD 2 7 -71.4% 8 -75.0%
WILSHIRE 7 5 +40.0% 4 +75.0%
WEST LOS ANGELES 2 1 +100% 2 0.0%
PACIFIC 5 7 -28.6% 10 -50.0%
OLYMPIC 13 8 +62.5% 10 +30.0%
TOTAL 29 28 +3.57% 34 -14.7%
GANG RELATED
DIVISIONS 2017 2016 %CHG 2015 %CHG
HOLLYWOOD 2 1 +100% 2 0.0%
WILSHIRE 6 2 +200% 2 +200%
WEST LOS ANGELES 1 0 +100% 1 0.0%
PACIFIC 1 3 -66.7% 6 -83.3%
OLYMPIC 4 5 -20.0% 6 -33.3%
TOTAL 14 11 +27.3% 17 -17.6%
BUREAU 2017 2016 %CHG 2015 %CHG
WEST 2 2 0.0% 2 0.0%
HOMICIDE TOTALS
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
Page 22 “to protect and to serve” Page 23
282 290
650
269317294
335
771
302277
LOS ANGELES NEW YORK CHICAGO HOUSTON PHILADELPHIA
2017 2016
NATIONAL HOMICIDE COMPARISON
TOTAL HOMICIDEPER 1,000
LOS ANGELES 282 294 -4.08% 3,962,726 0.071
NEW YORK 290 335 -13.43% 8,550,861 0.034
CHICAGO 650 771 -15.69% 2,728,695 0.238
HOUSTON 269 302 -10.93% 2,275,221 0.118
PHILADELPHIA 317 277 +14.44% 1,567,810 0.202
2017 2016 %CHGPOPULATION
Los Angeles, New York City, Houston statistics are based on date of report to law enforcement. New York City, Houston and Chicago homicide statistics provided by the Chicago Police Department, dated January 4, 2018. Philadelphia homicide statistics obtained from the Philadelphia Police Department website: phillypolice.com/about/crime-statistics, dated January 8, 2018.
national homicide comparison
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LOS ANGELES POLICE DEPARTMENT