Homicide by circumstance, 1976-2005

Line chart with five lines: arguments, unknown, felony, other, and gang.

For homicides committed during a felony, the number of homicides began at 3,327 in 1976 and decreased to 3,189 in 1977. After 1977, the number rose to 5,283 in 1991. After 1991, it fluctuates with a low of 2,388 as it decreases to 2,432 in 2005.

For homicides committed as a result of an argument, the number of homicides began at 9,106 in 1976 and fluctuates with a low of 8,929 as it increases to 10,299 in 1980. After 1980, the number decreased to 4,752 in 2002. After 2002, it fluctuates with a high of 4,974 as it increases to 4,787 in 2005.

For gang-related homicides, the number of homicides began at 129 in 1976 and rose to 1,362 in 1993. After 1993, the number decreased to 834 in 1998. Then it fluctuates with a high of 1,119 as it increases to 955 in 2005.

For homicides from other circumstances, the number of homicides began at 4,630 in 1976 and fluctuates with a low of 4,112 as it increases to 4,963 in 1980. Then the number decreased to 1,888 in 1997. Then it fluctuates with a high of 2,455 as it increases to 2,223 in 2005.

For homicides with unknown circumstances, the number of homicides began at 1,588 in 1976 and increased, reaching a high of 6,735 in 1993. Then the number decreased to a low of 4,594 in 1999, before rising to a high of 6,295 in 2005.