Number of Indianapolis homicides ticks down for second year in a row

The number of homicides in Indianapolis dropped for the second year in a row. The Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department reported 216 homicides in 2023. At least 170 of those are listed as criminal homicides.

Criminal homicides do not include killings that were accidental or in self-defense. It also excludes homicides committed by police during officer-involved shootings.

In 2023, IMPD officers were involved in 17 shootings where police responded to incidents.

Two years ago, in 2022, IMPD recorded 211 criminal homicides and 226 overall homicides.  The city experienced a record 250 criminal homicides in 2021, following the pandemic. Last year's total is the lowest since 2019, when 153 criminal homicides were investigated. IMPD reports that nonfatal shootings are also down. 

Though the number of homicides and nonfatal shootings decreased last year, the number of homicides involving youth spiked, with police investigating 25 homicides involving an individual under 18.  A large majority of all people killed died of gunshot wounds.

The 2023 clearance rate, or number of cases that were solved, is less than half, according to police.

Indianapolis invested in violence reduction plans in recent years, including $150 million from American Rescue Plan funding. Money has gone to law enforcement recruitment, technology, grants for community grassroots organizations and peacemakers.

Contact WFYI city government and policy reporter Jill Sheridan at jsheridan@wfyi.org.