(WTTW News)

The number of homicides recorded in Chicago during March outpaced the same month last year, marking the first time in 2024 the city has seen an increase in its homicide rate.

According to the Chicago Police Department, there were 46 homicides across the city last month, which marked a 28% increase over the same month in 2023. That total is also tied for the second most homicides recorded in any such month over the past decade.

The number of shootings (159) and shooting victims (190) recorded last month were also up significantly over March 2023.

March also saw the deadliest weekend of the year to date, when 7 people were killed over the Easter weekend, including two teens who were killed in separate mass shootings.

Despite those upticks in gun violence, the total number of shootings (410) and shooting victims (476) in Chicago year-to-date are each at their lowest points since 2019. The 111 homicides recorded this year is the fewest through the first three months of a year since 2021.

According to CPD data, police officers recovered 1,181 firearms in March, for an average of more than 38 firearms each day. Thus far in 2024, officers have recovered 16% more firearms than during the same period last year.

Transit crime is down 5% year-to-date, while violent crime on the CTA’s train and bus lines has declined 10% compared to 2023.

Police said carjackings are also down nearly 22% compared to last year, while officers have made 485 motor vehicle-related arrests so far in 2024.

A Safer City is supported, in part, by the Sue Ling Gin Foundation Initiative for Reducing Violence in Chicago.