WASHINGTON — We are following up on an issue many of you are talking about on social media. It all started with a question we asked DC Mayor Muriel Bowser about Friday's mass shooting outside a nightclub. The Mayor took the moment to tell the media that we did not report on a relatively peaceful week in D.C. So, we are not only reporting on it we are taking a closer look at the crime numbers since January.
While we know the numbers do not always line up with how safe people feel in the city, it is important to know the data so we can put it all in perspective.
On Monday, WUSA9 asked Mayor Bowser about the shooting that injured six people outside of Decades nightclub in Dupont and its impact on the city’s effort to revitalize downtown.
“I think that's' really a question for our friends in the media,” Mayor Bowser responded, “you didn't report that we had like over a week where violence was down homicide didn't happen, I know you didn't report that but don't worry I'll tell you.”
So, let's look at the numbers to verify if her statement is true.
According to DC Police, there were no homicides in a nine day stretch between April 14th and 24th.
Even though the mayor did not specify the timeframe her comments were accurate. But many of you on social media argue they were insensitive to say the least considering that homicide-free stretch was bookended by the deaths of two 15-year-old children. Niomi Russell on Elvans Road, SE and over on Ainger Place, SE, Quentin Brown lost his young life.
“They've been crying out for help and no one is doing anything,” cried one mother who spoke to WUSA9 after Russell’s killing, “I'm begging you all to look at my daughter if it was a 15 year old do you want it to be my 2 year old next?”
And we now know the city has seen a rash of violence in the days since April 24th: a deadly stabbing outside Audi Field, a murder on U Street, and a mass shooting in Dupont.
Still, according to DC Police Crime statistics violent crime is down in the first four months of this year compared to the same time last year: Homicides are down 20%, assaults with a dangerous weapon are down 31%, and robberies down 23%.
Police credit some of the success to the Real Time Crime Center up and running since February.
And remember, 2023 was one of the most violent years this city has seen in over two decades with 274 homicides on record. Police say comparing crime to our pre-pandemic numbers are even more promising, with 465 assaults with a dangerous weapon in 2019 compared to 303 today.