2023 Pennsylvania Homicide Fact Sheet Final

Overview of Pennsylvania Homicide Deaths in 2023

The Pennsylvania Violent Death Reporting System (PAVDRS) reviewed approximately 3,000 violent deaths in 2023, with homicides accounting for 29% of these cases. The program collected data from 845 homicide victims (689 males and 156 females) across 66 counties. Key findings include:

• At least 16 people died by homicide every week in Pennsylvania.
• Males were over four times more likely to die by homicide than females, mirroring national trends.
• Black, non-Hispanic males accounted for 60% of all homicide victims in the state.
• Homicide rates in Pennsylvania (7 deaths per 100,000 residents) were similar to national rates.

Homicide Death Count by Age Group and Sex

A bar chart illustrates the percentage distribution of homicide deaths across different age groups and sexes:

• Age Group 20-29: Highest percentage of total homicides (27%), with males significantly higher than females.
• Age Group 30-39: Second highest percentage (26%), again with males predominating.
• Other Age Groups: Lower percentages, with a gradual decline in older age groups.

Leading Causes of Homicide Deaths

The leading cause of homicide deaths in Pennsylvania was firearms, accounting for 83% of cases. Other causes included:

• Sharp instruments (5%)
• Personal weapons (3%)
• Suffocation, others, and blunt instruments (2% each)
• Poisoning (1%)

Race and Ethnicity of Homicide Victims

The racial and ethnic breakdown of homicide victims shows:

• Black, non-Hispanic: 60%
• White, non-Hispanic: 20%
• Hispanic: 17%
• Asian, non-Hispanic: 2%
• Multi-race, non-Hispanic: 1%
• Unknown, non-Hispanic: 1%

Most Common Relationships of Perpetrators to Victims

The relationship between perpetrators and victims varied, with:

• Relationship unknown or unavailable: 35% of cases.
• Intimate partners (current or former): At least 18% of homicides.
• Other relationships included spouses, boyfriends/girlfriends, friends, and strangers.

Most Common Precipitating Circumstances

Common circumstances preceding homicides included:

• Argument: 23% of homicides.
• Intimate partner violence: 12%.
• Family relationship problems: 9%.
• Other factors included alcohol problems, drug involvement, and physical fights.

Additional Information

The PAVDRS is a state-level surveillance system funded and overseen by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). It collects data on suicides, homicides, deaths of undetermined intent, and accidental firearm deaths. This data is used for research, policymaking, and violence prevention strategies. For more information, visit the PAVDRS webpage or contact RA-DHPAVDRS@pa. gov.

This report was supported by funds from the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control (NCIPC), CDC, Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) under Cooperative Agreement Number CE19-1905.