FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, July 1, 2025
Brooklyn Ended the First Half of 2025 with a Steep Decline in
Homicides and Historic Drops in Shootings and Victims
Homicides Dropped by Nearly a Third, Shootings and Shooting Victims
Declined by 19% and 15% Respectively; Total Serious Crime Down 8%
Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that the decline in gun violence in Brooklyn continued and accelerated during the first half of 2025, with the number of homicides plunging by 29%. Shootings and shooting victims – which reached record low last year – decreased by 19% and 15% respectively to the lowest numbers recorded in Brooklyn at any year’s midway point. Total serious felonies decreased by 8% for the year so far.
District Attorney Gonzalez said, “These historic declines in shootings and homicides mean something profound: lives have been saved, families have been spared unimaginable grief, and more Brooklyn residents are walking our streets with a sense of safety. This progress reflects a comprehensive and sustained strategy, including strong partnerships with the NYPD and community groups, smart prevention efforts, and a relentless focus on those driving violence. I am proud of the work we are doing, and we will keep pushing forward to build an even safer and more just Brooklyn for everyone.”
The District Attorney said that there were 123 shooting incidents in Brooklyn so far this year, down 19% compared to the same time in 2024 (29 fewer and 10 below the previous low in 2017). There were 147 shooting victims, a decline of 15% (25 fewer than last year and five fewer than the 2017 record). These achievements came on the heels of a 15% decrease in shootings and 13% decrease in victims during 2024. There was an even bigger drop in homicides: to 41, which is 17, or 29%, fewer than at the end of June 2024. Of which, 26 were shooting homicides, which is 11 or 30% fewer. That number is equal to the previous midyear record. (NYPD’s Compstat counts an additional homicide, which was reclassified from 2020 and is not included in this analysis.)
Eight of Brooklyn’s 23 precincts did not report any homicides this year, compared to three at this time in 2024. The precinct with the steepest decline was Brownsville, down to two murders from 14. That precinct also saw a 45% drop in shootings. The 77th Precinct in Crown Heights also had a notable drop, from six to one homicide. Homicides in public housing developments were reduced by 60% (from 10 to four) and shootings declined by 34%.
The seven most serious felonies declined by 8% compared to the midpoint of 2024, with robberies, burglaries and larcenies all decreasing by double-digit percentage points. The decrease is outpacing 2024, when these index crimes went down by 6%.
The DA’s Office is doubling up on its efforts to keep driving down violence, with a number of ongoing gang investigations, planned community events such as a gun buyback and the expected launch of a preventative program that offers opportunities for criminal justice involved young people.
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