Raleigh leaders address rise in homicides compared to 2023

New numbers paint a grim picture of the growing rate of homicides in Raleigh.

Data from the Major Cities Chiefs Association Violent Crime Survey shows homicides are up 78% so far this year compared to the same time frame last year.

Raleigh Police Chief Estella Patterson said as of Thursday, Aug. 15, the city has had 19 homicides in 2024.

Between January 2024 and June 2024, there have been 16 homicides. Between January 2023 and June 2023, that number was nine in the same time frame.

"Last year, we had an incredible year in terms of the number of homicides," Patterson said. "It was lower than what our five-year average is, but for me, one death is too many.

"So, we are always looking at ways to try to reduce any violent crime that we're having particularly homicides in our community."

Patterson said the city has a "fantastic homicide unit."

Raleigh Mayor Mary-Ann Baldwin commended the police department's clearance rate this year of about 95%. She said she does not think Raleigh is starting to have an image problem even despite crimes in downtown Raleigh.

"The feedback we've gotten from a lot of the businesses is how much things have improved," Baldwin said. "We've hired private security. Our police department has a better focus down here."

Patterson created police's work with the district attorney's office.

"We're always round tabling with the DA's Office to make sure that when we identify these suspects that we're able to get the warrants and pick them up quickly," Patterson said.

Patterson said Raleigh sees many offenses involving minors.

"[We are] trying to intervene early with these young people, not just through RPD, but with our partners to be able to get them on the right path so they don't continue a life of crime," Patterson said.

Baldwin urged parents to get involved in their kids' lives.

"It really does start at home. and it starts with who your kids' friends are, who they are hanging around with," Baldwin said.

Kato Muhammad's son, Aaron Heath, died in a July stabbing. Heath was 32. Muhammad said he was "so happy" police arrested the man suspected of fatally stabbing his son.

"It starts with you and I protecting our neighborhood," Muhammad said. "If you see something, why wouldn't you say something? I think that's the very start of it."

Muhammad said he feels his son's absence every day.

"My son has an entire family," Muhammad said. "He was absolutely loved.

"This guy took him away from all of this."

A woman named Athena was the girlfriend of the late Cristian Rodriguez, who died at the age of 21. A 14-year-old boy is facing a murder charge in the deadly shooting of Rodriguez.

"There being an arrest doesn't bring back the person that you're missing," Athena said.

Athena expressed her concerns about the accessibility of getting a gun.

"There's a lot of young people that have rage and instead of going to therapy or talking it out or thinking before they act, they just decide to buy a gun," Athena said.

Nationwide, the total of all major cities' homicides is down 17%.

Kerwin Pittman grew up in Raleigh. He wears many hats, advocating for the city he calls home.

WRAL News showed Pittman the data from the Major Cities Chiefs Association.

"Clearly, we are missing the mark," Pittman said.

Pittman said there is room for more programs in Raleigh that provide mental healthcare, access to jobs, affordable housing and other services. He believes if there's more help for those people committing the crimes, those numbers will go down.

"We have to address the root causes of why these individuals are committing their crimes in the first place," Pittman said. "Until we do that, it will be a vicious cycle."

Raleigh police tell WRAL News the year-to-date number is a more accurate snapshot of the rise in homicides. Those numbers show a 12% increase from January through August.

Map of homicides from January 2024 - June 2024 in Raleigh

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Map of homicides from January 2023 - June 2023 in Raleigh

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