Homicide Spike: Las Vegas Police Report Killings Up 69% So Far in 2021
August 20, 2021
(Fox) Homicides and shootings continue to rise in major cities nationwide this year, and Las Vegas is no exception.
Las Vegas Metropolitan Police report valley-wide murders are up 69% compared to this time last year, and they were up last year, too.
“Across the United States, we’ve seen a jarring increase in the number of homicides,” said Deputy Chief James LaRochelle, who oversees the investigative services division at LVMPD.
LaRochelle said Metro’s vision is to be one of the safest communities and destinations in America, but this year has proved a challenge.
As of Aug. 13, there have been 86 murders in their jurisdiction so far this year, compared to 51 for the same period last year.
“People shot is also an increase, so that is alarming,” LaRochelle said.
Larochelle said he believes the COVID-19 pandemic is playing a part in the increase. Murder was also up last year, with Metro seeing about 100 homicides in 2020.
“People’s tempers are shorter when you look at homicide. It is a crime of passion, spur of the moment. We see people being more aggressive,” LaRochelle said.
Story by Kim Passoth for Fox5 Vegas. Cover image of police responding to a crime committed at Siegel Suites in downtown Las Vegas in June of 2020.
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