182 females were murdered by males in Texas in 1997
The homicide rate among females murdered by males in Texas was 1.85 per 100,000 in 1997
Ranked 13th highest in the United States
Age
Nineteen female homicide victims (10 percent) were less than 18 years old, and 14 victims (8 percent) were 65 years of age or older.
Race and Ethnicity
Out of 182 female murder victims, 139 were white, 41 were black, and 2 were Asian or Pacific Islanders. Under ethnic classification, 55 of the 139 white females were ethnically 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 (176 cases), more than half of all female homicide victims (105 victims or 60 percent) were shot and killed with guns. More than 8 out of 10 of these gun victims (85 victims or 81 percent) were killed with handguns. There were 29 females killed with knives or other cutting instruments and 20 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 (174 cases), more than 9 out of 10 female victims (168 victims or 97 percent) were murdered by someone they knew. Only 6 female victims were killed by strangers. Of the victims who knew their offenders, nearly 6 out of 10 (98 victims or 58 percent) were wives, common-law wives, ex-wives, or girlfriends of the offenders. Among the 98 female intimates murdered, more than two thirds (72 victims or 73 percent) were killed with guns; 88 percent of these gun victims (63 victims) were shot and killed with handguns.
Circumstance
In cases in which the circumstance of the homicide could be identified (164 cases), 79 percent (130 cases) were not related to the commission of any other felony. Of these cases, 85 percent (110 cases) involved arguments between the victim and offender.
