Philadelphia murder rate hits high for decade; 356 killed
PHILADELPHIA - Philadelphia's new police chief has a challenging agenda ahead that includes addressing the city’s gun violence and homicide rates.
Three shooting deaths Tuesday make 2019 the city’s deadliest year in a decade. Police say one man was fatally shot near Temple University Hospital and another in the Hunting Park section. A woman was found shot dead inside a Northeast Philadelphia home around 10:30 p.m.
Police have tallied 356 slayings this year, three more than 2018. The count had fallen to about 250 to 275 homicides annually from 2013 to 2016.
Police say they’ve made arrests this year in just over half the homicide cases.
Separately, they say more than 1,450 people were shot in the city this year.
RELATED COVERAGE:
- Man, 47, fatally shot in broad daylight in North Philadelphia
- 30-year-old man shot and killed in Hunting Park
- Danielle Outlaw named as new Philadelphia police commissioner
Danielle Outlaw, who previously acted as Portland Police Bureau's Chief of Police, has been named Philadelphia Police Department's new commissioner.
Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney announced Monday that he’d selected Police Chief Danielle Outlaw of Portland, Oregon, to lead the 6,500-member force.
Outlaw says she’s prepared for the challenge and calls gun violence a top priority.
Philadelphia, with about 1.5 million people, has more homicides than New York City, which has five times as many people but stricter gun laws.
___
For the latest local news, sports and weather, download the FOX 29 News app.
DOWNLOAD: FOX 29 NEWS APP
___
For resources for victims of violence in Philadelphia, see here.
___
The Associated Press contributed to this report.