FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, August 4, 2026
Brooklyn Had the Fewest Homicides in Any Month Ever This July
As Gun Violence Continues to Decline from Historic Lows
Marking Today’s National Night Out Against Crime After the Longest Murder-Free
Stretch in Brooklyn History; Only Two Homicides Committed in July
Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez today announced that Brooklyn recorded just two homicides in July, tying the record from this January for the fewest killings in any calendar month. Brooklyn then went 29 consecutive days without a murder — the longest such streak on record. This unprecedented achievement punctuates an ongoing and historic decline in violent crime with homicides dropping by over a third so far this year compared to last year’s record-breaking low.
District Attorney Gonzalez said, “For New York City’s most populous borough to go 29 consecutive days without a murder, during the summer months when violence has historically been at its highest, is an extraordinary achievement that would have been almost unimaginable just a few years ago. Brooklyn is experiencing a genuine public safety renaissance, driven by focused enforcement, strong prosecutions, community partnership and sustained investments in preventing violence before it occurs. We are proud of this progress, and we remain determined to bring the same safety and stability to every neighborhood in Brooklyn.”
The District Attorney said that there was a homicide in Brooklyn on July 1 and another on July 2. There were no murders since then until a woman was found dead in a suspected domestic incident on August 1. That 29-day stretch is the longest period of no killings in Brooklyn’s modern history. Historically, the highest levels of homicides take place during the summer months. The previous record was 24 days in October 2016. The only other month with just two murders was January of this year. The only months with three homicides on record were December 2025 and February 2026. Typically, the highest levels of homicides take place during the summer months.
[Note that these stats exclude homicides that were reclassified from previous years; the rest of the numbers in this release are based on the NYPD’s Compstat report which includes two additional reclassified murders this year.]
So far in 2026, homicides in Brooklyn are down 37% and shooting incidents are down 16%. Notably, the 22 fewer homicides in Brooklyn compared to this time last year make up 47% of the citywide decline in homicides. The 24 fewer shooting incidents in Brooklyn make up 85% of the citywide decline in shootings to date.
All other major crime categories, except for reported rape, are also on the decline in Brooklyn this year, including a 14% drop in burglaries, 12.5% in grand theft auto and 10% in robberies. Reported hate crimes have decreased by over 21%.
The Brooklyn DA’s Office is employing a comprehensive Stop Violence strategy to end gun violence in Brooklyn, which includes focus on the individuals who cause the most harm, long-term investigations of gang and firearm trafficking, investments in technology, enhanced attention to gun prosecutions, community partnerships, alternative and preventative programs, engagement with youth, outreach initiatives and more.
In recent months, the DA’s Office secured three major gang indictments: against two rival Brownsville gangs in April, two allied crews from Coney Island in May, and two Folk Nation subsets in June. It also relaunched Project Restore, a groundbreaking violence prevention program for gang-involved young men, and hosted a successful gun buyback where nearly 200 weapons were turned over, a student-led youth summit on safety, and an anti-gun violence rally. It additionally took part in a youth listening tour, among other events, and have promoted peace across Brooklyn.
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