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2022 Pennsylvania Homicide Fact Sheet FINAL

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Overview of the Pennsylvania Violent Death Reporting System (PAVDRS)

The Pennsylvania Department of Health released this fact sheet detailing homicide data for the year 2022. The Pennsylvania Violent Death Reporting System (PAVDRS) reviewed over 3,000 violent deaths, with more than a third being homicides. The program collected data from coroners and medical examiners in 42 counties, as well as law enforcement data from 64 counties.

  • Total Homicide Victims: 1,004 (841 males and 163 females).
  • Weekly Average: An average of over 19 people died by homicide each week in Pennsylvania.
  • Participation: Data collection included 66 counties; Cameron County reported no homicides in 2022.

Demographics and Rates

Homicide rates in Pennsylvania were slightly higher than national averages, with males being significantly more likely to be victims than females.

  • Pennsylvania Rates: 8 deaths per 100,000 population (Males: 13; Females: 3).
  • National Rates: 8 deaths per 100,000 population (Males: 12; Females: 3).
  • Gender Disparity: Males are over five times more likely to die by homicide than females.

Age and Sex Breakdown

The highest percentage of homicide deaths occurred in the 20-29 and 30-39 age groups.

  • 20-29 Age Group: 28% of total homicides (25% Male, 3% Female).
  • 30-39 Age Group: 28% of total homicides (24% Male, 4% Female).
  • 10-19 Age Group: 15% of total homicides (13% Male, 2% Female).
  • 40-49 Age Group: 11% of total homicides (9% Male, 2% Female).
  • Other Groups: Lower percentages were recorded for ages 0-9 (4%), 50-59 (8%), 60-69 (4%), and 70-79 (1%).

Race and Ethnicity

The majority of homicide victims in Pennsylvania were Black, non-Hispanic.

  • Black, non-Hispanic: 66%
  • White, non-Hispanic: 18%
  • Hispanic: 13%
  • Asian, non-Hispanic: 1%
  • Multi-race, non-Hispanic: 1%

Causes and Circumstances

Firearms were the overwhelming leading cause of homicide deaths.

  • Leading Causes:
    • Firearm: 84%
    • Sharp instrument: 6%
    • Personal weapons: 5%
    • Poisoning: 2%
    • Blunt instrument, Suffocation, Others: 1% each

Precipitating Circumstances

At least 10% of homicides were the result of a serious crime, including legal intervention deaths. The most common precipitating crimes were robbery (32%), assault (28%), and involvement in the drug trade (14%).

  • Substance abuse problem: 20%
  • Argument: 17%
  • Intimate partner violence: 8% (Male) / 11% (Female)
  • Relationship problem: 11%
  • Drug involvement: 10%

Perpetrator Relationships

The relationship between the victim and perpetrator was unknown or unavailable for 44% of cases.

  • Intimate Partners: At least 14% of homicides were perpetrated by a current or former intimate partner.
  • Other Known Persons: 13% of perpetrators were other persons known to the victim.
  • Strangers: 5% of perpetrators were strangers.
  • Other Categories: Spouse (5%), All others (5%), and various family or friend relationships accounted for smaller percentages (1-2%).
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