AUSTIN (KXAN) – The National Institute for Criminal Reform (NICJR) partnering with the Office of Violence Prevention (OVP) and the Austin Police Department released a summary analysis describing gun violence in Austin in a memo on Tuesday.
Over a 15-year period, Austin’s homicide rate remained mostly below Texas’ and the U.S. rate, averaging four per 100,000. But, in 2021 and 2022, Austin outstripped Texas’ and U.S. rates, averaging 8.3 homicides per 100,000 in 2021 and 7.1 in 2022, according to the NICJR analysis.
The report said 142 homicides were studied in Austin for 2021 and 2022, excluding officer-involved shootings, accidental self-inflictions and cases of justified self-defense. NICJR said its goal was to study the circumstances of the events, understand the characteristics of individuals involved and show the networks associated with the highest risk of violence.
NICJR said the analysis shows a common understanding of local violence that can help with policy decisions, interventions for those at most risk, and inform local leaders and criminal justice policymakers to reduce Austin gun violence.