199 females were murdered by males in Texas in 1998
The homicide rate among females murdered by males in Texas was 1.99 per 100,000 in 1998
Ranked 12th in the United States
Age
Twenty-one female homicide victims (11 percent) were less than 18 years old, and 14 victims (7 percent) were 65 years of age or older. The average age was 34 years old.
Race
Out of 199 female murder victims, 3 were American Indian, 1 was Asian, 54 were black, and 141 were white.
Most Common Weapons
For homicides in which the weapon used could be identified, 57 percent of female victims (108 out of 190) were shot and killed with guns. Of these, 73 percent (79 victims) were killed with handguns. There were 31 females killed with knives or other cutting instruments, 17 females killed by a blunt object, and 28 females killed by bodily force.
Victim/Offender Relationship
For homicides in which the victim to offender relationship could be identified, 93 percent of female victims (175 out of 188) were murdered by someone they knew. Thirteen female victims were killed by strangers. Of the victims who knew their offenders, 63 percent (110 victims) were wives, common-law wives, ex-wives, or girlfriends of the offenders. Among the 110 female intimates murdered, 60 percent (66 victims) were killed with guns; 71 percent of these (47 victims) were shot and killed with handguns.
Circumstance
For homicides in which the circumstance could be identified, 87 percent (156 out of 179) were not related to the commission of any other felony. Of these, 79 percent (124 homicides) involved arguments between the victim and offender.
