Crime & Law

Chicago Shootings, Homicides Increased in March as Gun Violence Creeps Ahead of Last Year’s Historically Low Rates

Chicago recorded an increase in both the number of homicides and people shot throughout March compared to the same month last year, as the level of gun violence seen in the city creeps ahead of last year’s historically low rates.

Forty-one people were killed in March, according to data from the Chicago Police Department, an uptick of 17% from the 35 homicides recorded during the same month in 2025. The number of shootings (124) and shooting victims (137) last month were also both up compared to March 2025.

Through the first three months of 2026, Chicago has recorded 97 homicides, which matches the total from the same time period in 2025 — a year that ended with the fewest homicides Chicago had seen in 60 years.

But the number of shootings and shooting victims are up 4% and 5%, respectively, compared to the first three months of 2025.

According to the CPD data, the total number of robberies recorded so far in 2026 is down 26% year to date, while the number of armed robberies is down 35%.

Burglaries are also down 20% this year, and there has been a 13% decline in the number of carjackings, Chicago police said.

Violent crime on the CTA’s train and bus lines is down 4% so far in 2026, according to the CPD, while property crime is down 22% year to date.

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