Due to gun violence, New Orleans is one of the deadliest cities in the U.S. This article covers New Orleans gun violence statistics with facts and figures.
Gun violence is nothing new globally and in the United States. It covers violent crimes like homicide, assault, and robbery committed with a gun. Globally, more than 500 people die from gun-related murders daily.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, firearm injuries are a severe problem in the United States. The Center reported that in 2020, 45,222 people died from fatal shootings, about 124 gun deaths daily. Over half of the gun-related deaths were suicides, but more than four out of every ten fatalities were gun homicides.
The national rate of gun violence is quite troubling, with individual cities across the United States contributing to the murder rate. However, one city stands out from the rest – New Orleans, Louisiana. The gun homicide rate and aggravated assaults are pretty high in New Orleans.
So much so that the city’s government created the Office of Gun Violence Prevention to cut down the unending cycle of violence. This article looks at crucial gun violence statistics in New Orleans.
If you or a loved one are a victim of gun-related crimes, our shooting victims’ attorney at Wright Gray will help you get justice. Contact us today.
Facts and Figures of Gun Violence in New Orleans
New Orleans tops the list when you search for the worst cities for gun violence in the United States. Crime experts say the city is one of the key contributors to Lousiana’s position as the state with the highest murder rate for 31 years as of 2021.
Gun Violence Increased in 2021 Compared to 2020
New Orleans has remained the city with the highest murder rate in the country since 1993. From Bourbon Street to Jackson Square, the city has recorded deaths at every turn.
In April 2021, an incident on Bourbon Street left five people with gunshot wounds. Additionally, a news report stated that data from the New Orleans City Council crime dashboard revealed that the city recorded 207 shootings through April 26, 2021, an increase of 51% from the same date in 2020.
That same year, fatal shootings increased by 21%, while nonfatal shootings were higher. It was 155 as of April 2021, compared to April 2020, when the city recorded 94 amidst the Coronavirus pandemic. Armed robberies and aggravated assaults also rose in 2021.
New Orleans Gun Violence Affects the Young and the Old
Unfortunately, New Orleans gun violence affects both the young and old. A gun violence report found that 24% of homicide victims are between 18 and 24 years old.
On May 22, 2022, the New Orleans Police Department responded to calls of triple shooting incidents in the 300 block of Baronne Street. Two people, identified simply as a 16-year-old boy and a 22-year-old man, suffered gunshot wounds, with the older male dying.
Gun Violence in 2022
According to the Metropolitan Crime Commission, the total number of homicides is 159 as of July 10, 2022. This number includes vehicular, negligent, and justified homicides but does not include individuals who died of injuries sustained before 2022.
This places the number at 141% higher relative to 2019, 89% higher than 2020, and 56% higher than the same time in 2021. However, shootings remain 10% lower than in 2021, but there’s still a higher rate of fatal shootings than in prior years. At least 1/3 of 2022 shootings have resulted in a fatality.
The most significant spike in gun violence is in armed robbery. According to the Commission, armed robbery is showing sharper increases relative to 2021. It is currently 35% higher than the same time in 2021, 52% higher than 2020, and only 26% higher relative to 2019.
How Is New Orleans Dealing With Gun Violence?
New Orleans gun violence is a source of concern to community leaders and law enforcement agencies. In 2021, Mayor LaToya Cantrell initiated the gun violence reduction plan with the creation of the Office of Gun Violence Prevention.
The Office is tasked with preventing community violence using public health, prevention, and intervention strategy to reduce the cycles of violence. The Office focuses on helping victims and their families while the police department investigates. The goal is to cut down on gun-related murders in the city in the next 50 years.
The federal government is also working to reduce the rise in gun violence across the country. During the State of the Union address in March 2022, President Joe Biden stated that the $350 billion American Rescue Plan funds had been made available to counties, cities, and states to hire more police and invest in proven strategies like the community violence intervention.
Can I File a Personal Injury Case as a New Orleans Gun Violence Victim?
Gun-related incidents fall under criminal law, meaning that the shooter will face a criminal charge from the state. This is the case whether the suspect intended to cause harm or not. Thankfully, the presence of a criminal charge does not take away your right to seek redress in a civil court.
Generally, gun violence results in catastrophic injuries or death. Injured persons usually face long-term hospitalization and require long-term care. This is common when the bullet hits the spine or neck, causes brain damage, or damages a vital organ.
Aside from these physical injuries, gunshot victims suffer emotional and psychological hurt, with many needing therapy. In addition, where the victim dies, leaving behind beneficiaries, they may find it hard to make ends meet if the deceased was the family’s breadwinner.
Therefore, shooting victims’ attorneys advise those affected to seek compensation from the shooter. By filing a personal injury lawsuit, you can recover the amount spent on your medical bills and other financial losses. Settlement in personal injury cases also covers emotional injuries.
What Type of Compensation Could You Get?
After a successful personal injury claim, you will get economic and non-economic damages. The two cover the following:
- Present and future medical costs
- Lost wages
- Cost of home care
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of earning capacity
- Funeral and burial expenses where the victim dies
- Loss of consortium
- Mental anguish
- Emotional distress
- Loss of companionship
- Loss of enjoyment of life, etc.
You may also get punitive damages if your shooting victims’ attorney asks the court. But first, they must prove that the shooter acted maliciously to kill or injure. The chance of securing punitive damages is higher where the victim gets a murder sentence, not manslaughter.
Are You a Victim of New Orleans Gun Violence? Let Our Shooting Victims’ Lawyer Help You
Surviving a gunshot wound is something to be grateful for. Victims also express gratitude when the shooter gets sentenced to prison. But feeling grateful shouldn’t keep you from seeking financial compensation.
The money would help you pay for your medical bills and get back a semblance of a normal life, especially if the wound causes a disability. Our attorneys at Wright Gray understand your plight and will help you recover compensation. Schedule a free consultation with us today.