89 females were murdered by males in North Carolina in 1997
The homicide rate among females murdered by males in North Carolina was 2.33 per 100,000 in 1997
Ranked 6th highest in the United States
Age
Five female homicide victims (6 percent) were less than 18 years old, and 9 victims (10 percent) were 65 years of age or older.
Race and Ethnicity
Out of 89 female murder victims, 46 were white, 41 were black, and 2 were American Indian or Alaskan Native. Under ethnic classification, 1 of the 46 white females was categorized as being of Hispanic origin. None of the women in the other 2 racial groups were categorized as being of Hispanic origin.
Most Common Weapons
In cases in which the weapon used in the homicide could be identified (78 cases), nearly half of all female homicide victims (41 victims or 53 percent) were shot and killed with guns. More than 7 out of 10 of these gun victims (30 victims or 73 percent) were killed with handguns. There were 18 females killed with knives or other cutting instruments, and 17 females killed by bodily force. The remainder of cases involved other non-firearm weapons.
Victim/Offender Relationship
In cases in which the relationship between the victim and the offender could be identified (87 cases), 9 out of 10 victims (78 victims or 90 percent) were murdered by someone they knew. Nine female victims were killed by strangers. Of victims who knew their offenders, nearly two thirds (51 victims or 65 percent) were wives, common-law wives, ex-wives, or girlfriends of the offenders. Among the 51 female intimates murdered, more than half (27 victims or 53 percent) were killed with guns; 70 percent of these gun victims (19 victims) were shot and killed with handguns.
Circumstance
In cases in which the circumstance of the homicide could be identified (69 cases), 91 percent (63 cases) were not related to the commission of any other felony. Of these cases, 46 percent (29 cases) involved arguments between the victim and offender.
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