Columbus reaches 100+ homicides so far in 2024

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- It’s a milestone no city wants to see reached: 100 homicides. On Sunday, Columbus hit that grim milestone with a deadly shooting on the west side.  

There have been five deadly shootings in the city since Saturday, bringing the year-to-date homicide rate to 103.   

Community leaders said although this is upsetting, data shows the numbers are down by about 25 percent compared to last year.  

Police and community leaders say a lot of people stepped up this year to help slow violence and the data is showing this is a step in the right direction. Data also shows this is the latest point in the year Columbus has reached 100 homicides since 2019.  

“The disappointment is obvious, but there's optimism,” said Malissa Thomas-St.Clair, the founder of Mothers of Murdered Columbus Children.  

Thomas-St.Clair and the Mothers of Murdered Columbus Children are spearheading the data driven initiative “Operation Under Triple Digits” to slow homicides in the city. They are partnering with the Columbus DIvision of Police, City of Columbus and other non-profits.  

She said although they did not meet that goal, it doesn’t feel like a failure but instead a motivator; the group plans to use what they have learned and the stories of the people we lost to figure out where to put resources.   

“They're not going to be murdered in vain," Thomas-St. Clair said. "They will be kept alive within this initiative. And it will be those stories, those humans, those lives will be used to drive the really significant work in the city.” 

Columbus Police Deputy Chief Smith Weir said he thinks a big reason for the decrease has to do with the community, both the department's relationship with the community and its lack of tolerace for crime. 

Weir said of the 103 homicides as of Nov. 7, about 75% of the cases are solved.  

“We, from the investigative side of the house, have noticed an increased level of cooperation when we do have violent crime," he said. "We've noticed that the community is more willing to talk to us." 

Weir said that there have been 16 juvenile homicide victims this year. The big outliers in teh data are domestic violence-related homicides, which account for about 20%, and incidents that start with arguments. He said that a lot of times, these occur at bars or after-hours clubs.  

“It comes down to their ability to handle conflict," Weir said. "So many of our homicides start with a simple disagreement or a simple argument, and then it just escalates.” 

He said the goal every year is to keep lowering those numbers.  

“That's what we're here for, right, is to strive to be a better city and a better community, and as we move towards that goal, I think, you know, we're going to do our part, and we really, like I said, are really proud of the community for stepping up in the past couple of years and really engaging with us to be a partner in lowering that number,” Weir said.  

Thomas-St. Clair said what she thinks has truly helped the decrease is more people getting involved. She said Mayor Andrew Ginther’s $20 million investments into summer youth programming have helped slow youth crime by keeping them productive. She said another reason is people who come out to community events. She said the more people who get involved, the bigger difference can be made.  

Thomas-St.Clair said MOMCC plans to take the data and lessons learned in 2024 and double down prevention efforts in 2025.  

“The initiative isn't going anywhere and actually it's going to be even driven harder and smarter,” Thomas-St. Clair said.  

She said Linden has been a hot spot for shootings recently. On Dec. 8, MOMCC will be in the area for their signature covering events to get others involved in the mission. She said if you are looking to get involved or are in need of support, call the organization at 614-721-2354 or email at saveourstreetscolumbus@gmail.com.