YORK COUNTY, Pa. (WHTM)– Christmas Eve’s shooting death comes at the end of what has been a relatively non-violent year in York County.
Although homicides were down this year, they haven’t stopped. In October, two people were found dead inside a home in Springettsbury Township.
“We did just have a tragic double homicide, but it is definitely better,” York County Coroner Pam Gay said.
Homicide rates have dropped across the country in the last two years, and York City is no exception. While improvements are no consolation to the people touched by violence, homicides dropped from 21 in 2022 to six in 2023 in York City and now five with a week left in 2024.
Outside York City is a slightly different story, with homicide rates going up from eight in 2022 to 13 in 2023. However, homicides outside the city dropped to 6 in 2024 for a total of 11 for the entire county.
“I’ve been in a coroner for almost 11 years, now going into my 12th year. And definitely, this is the best year we’ve had since I can recall,” Gay said.