Baltimore Sees Historic Drop In Homicides In First Half of 2025
After a year of record-breaking reductions in gun violence, Baltimore officials say the first half of 2025 is showing even more progress.
City police report 68 homicides and 164 nonfatal shootings through June, down 22% and 19%, respectively, compared to the same period last year. According to Mayor Brandon Scott, it’s the lowest number of homicides the city has recorded in more than 50 years.
Both figures exceed the annual goals set in Baltimore’s Comprehensive Violence Prevention Plan, which aims to cut fatal and nonfatal gun violence by 15% each year. Scott credited the reductions to the plan’s public health-centered approach, which emphasizes community engagement, transparency, and measurable results.
Stefanie Mavronis, director of the Mayor’s Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement (MONSE), which leads implementation of the plan, said community-based strategies and victim support programs to prevent retaliation and revictimization have also been key.
“We need to institutionalize the efforts that are making a difference so these aren’t just one-off results, but sustained reductions for years to come,” Mavronis said in a statement.
Scott thanked MONSE, city police, regional law enforcement, the State’s Attorney’s Office, and other partners for their roles in the progress, but stressed that the work isn’t done.
“Our work is far from over. Sixty-eight lives lost to violence is still 68 too many,” he said. “These historic lows only strengthen my resolve to keep going.”
Police Commissioner Richard Worley called the declining numbers “meaningful progress” while acknowledging the department must continue rebuilding trust with residents.
State’s Attorney Ivan Bates attributed the progress partly to rolling back “ineffective non-prosecution policies” and fostering stronger collaboration with local, state, and federal agencies. Police officials also cited operational changes, including the creation of the Crime Strategies and Intelligence Division and the Youth and Community Partnerships Division to improve intelligence sharing and community policing.
Still, recent incidents have underscored ongoing challenges. In June, police were involved in three deadly encounters:
- On June 17, officers shot Bilal “BJ” Abdullah 38 times after he fired at them on Pennsylvania Avenue.
- A week later, a man experiencing a mental health crisis died in police custody after being detained on North Franklintown Road.
- On June 25, police fatally shot 70-year-old Pytorcarcha Brooks, who allegedly charged at them with a knife during a mental health-related call.
“These high-profile incidents remind us how much work remains to improve our department and build trust,” Worley said. “Baltimore is a safer city today, and I’m proud of the dedication shown by our officers, residents, and partners.”
Last year, 201 people were killed and more than 400 were wounded by gunfire — the second straight year of significant declines in gun violence. In April, just five homicides were recorded citywide, marking the lowest monthly toll in years.
