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GRPD Releases 2012 Homicide Numbers

Posted at 9:49 AM, Jan 01, 2013
and last updated 2013-01-01 09:49:48-05

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich.- December proved to be a deadly month as Grand Rapids police release the latest homicide numbers for 2012. The latest shooting that happened December 29th that killed one man and injured three others, pushed the number of homicides past the numbers for 2011.

Police said in just two years, the number of homicides doubled in the city. While that may seem significant, it is actually on par with the city`s yearly average.

“Our detectives are incredibly busy this time of year,” said Captain Jeff Hertel, of the Grand Rapids Police Department. “We were pretty much on track up through the middle of December and then we had the increase.”

Captain Hertel said there had been about seven homicides in the span of two and a half weeks in December.

He did not attribute any one reason for the crimes, but added that several of the shootings involved domestic violence.

According to the city`s numbers, there have been 18 homicides in 2012.

In 2011, there were 17 murders.

Both 2009 and 2010 saw nine murders each.

In 2008, there were 16 reported homicides.

In 2007, GRPD reported 22 homicides.

Captain Hertel said the detectives will continue working to find answers for many grieving families.

“They`re very busy and have a lot of follow-up investigations to these cases to get the families the answers they deserve,” said Captain Hertel. “We want to give answers to these families. They deserve answers, but these answers take time. Having that many in a short amount of time put us in a spot.’

Despite possible cuts to come in 2013, the department will work to solve these homicides to the best of their ability.