United States
There were 9,753 Black homicide victims in the United States in 2020.
The homicide rate among Black victims in the United States was 23.41 per 100,000 in 2020.
Age
Seven hundred thirty homicide victims (8 percent) were less than 18 years old and 225 victims (2 percent) were 65 years of age or older. The average age was 32 years old.
Sex
Out of 9,753 homicide victims, 8,398 were male, 1,352 were female, and 3 were of unknown sex.
Most Common Weapons
For homicides in which the weapon used could be identified, 89 percent of victims (8,285 out of 9,297) were shot and killed with guns. Of these, 58 percent (4,776 victims) were killed with handguns. There were 3,164 victims killed with firearms, type not stated. There were 603 victims killed with knives or other cutting instruments, 241 victims killed by bodily force, and 88 victims killed by a blunt object.
Victim/Offender Relationship
For homicides in which the victim to offender relationship could be identified, 76 percent of victims (2,734 out of 3,585) were killed by someone they knew. Eight hundred fifty-one victims were killed by strangers.
Circumstance
For homicides in which the circumstances could be identified, 78 percent (3,837 out of 4,939) were not related to the commission of any other felony. Of these, 49 percent (1,868 homicides) involved arguments between the victim and the
offender.
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Next – Appendix Two: Number of Black Homicide Victims and Rates by State in 2020
