JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Jacksonville’s homicide statistics from last year are once again turning heads.
But for very different reasons.
After years of ongoing deadly violence, Jacksonville’s total number of homicides in 2024 dropped by nearly half from the previous year.
In fact, according to News4JAX records (see below), last year’s total of 82 homicides is the lowest the city has seen in the last 19 years, which is as long as we’ve been keeping count.
It’s the first time since 2011 that Jacksonville reported less than 100 homicides in a year.
In a message released Thursday, the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office pointed out that the 59 murders reported in 2024 were the lowest number in more than 20 years. (NOTE: Of the 82 homicides last year, 10 were either ruled justifiable or involved manslaughter charges, and another 13 were still pending classification as of Thursday.)
Jacksonville Sheriff T.K. Waters said the historically low numbers are a step in the right direction.
“It makes me feel like we’re doing what the citizens put us here to do, which is take care of the city and make sure people are safe,” Waters said in a video released by the agency. “One of my primary points that I wanted was for everyone to live safe and secure in this city without fearing violence, and I think we’re on our way to doing that.”
What’s working
JSO credits the significant drop to group violence intervention, which targets the city’s most violent offenders in multiple ways.
JSO said it doubled the size of its gang unit in 2024, increased patrols and invested heavily in technology to help solve and prevent crimes.
Technology like cameras and plate readers around the city connected to the Real-Time Crime Center and enhanced forensics with the Crime Gun Intelligence Center.
While the drastic drop in violence could be seen as a statistical anomaly, Waters said he doesn’t think that will prove to be the case.
“I do believe that sometimes numbers ebb and flow, but not at this level,” Waters said. “I know it’s working because of the results that we’re seeing.”
Spikes, pockets of violence
As Waters said, numbers do ebb and flow and they did throughout the year with the violence often coming in waves. In fact, 41% of the homicides for the year were reported in just three months: March (10), May (11) and October (13).
It’s unclear why those months saw spikes, but among the March homicides were the deaths of three children, ages 1, 2 and 12.
Two men were killed by law enforcement in May: one by the U.S. Marshals and one by the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office.
And October’s 13 homicides included the high-profile shooting death of off-duty JSO corrections officer Brad McNew. He was shot and killed while intervening in an altercation at a gas station in Pecan Park.
The deadly encounter was one of seven in the 32218 ZIP code of Jacksonville’s Northside last year — nearly all involving firearms.
Two areas of the city’s Westside (32205 and 32210) accounted for 15 of last year’s homicides combined.
Not surprisingly, the notoriously violent 32209 ZIP code reported the most homicides for any one area with 11 — but that was down a notable 65% from the previous year (31).
(Editor’s Note: For various reasons, our records might differ somewhat from those the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office releases. For instance, we have included homicides that have not yet been classified by JSO.)
Grieving, seeking answers
News4JAX visited with McNew’s wife and son just before the holidays — a reminder that despite the impressive drop statistically, scores of families across the city were still grieving loved ones lost to violence last year.
In its message about the drop in the murder rate, JSO acknowledged that even one such crime is one too many.
While the McNews know who killed their loved one — Demaurea Grant is facing a murder charge — dozens of other families across the city don’t yet have answers.
The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office has solved about 60% of the homicides from last year, leaving 33 cases without an arrest or resolution announced as of Thursday.
One of those cases has left a family hoping for answers for nearly a year.
Gary Mills, 45, was killed in a home invasion robbery off Argyle Forest Boulevard on Jan. 7, 2024 — just the second murder reported last year.
Despite the release of surveillance video by the family and photos by JSO, no arrest has been made.
Last March, Mills' sister, Genay Mills, told News4JAX that the family worried the case might go cold if someone in the community doesn’t come forward.
JSO said when it comes to unsolved cases, the public’s help is vital.
Anyone with information about any of the unsolved cases shown in our interactive map can call 904-630-0500, email JSOCrimeTips@JaxSheriff.org or call CrimeStoppers to remain anonymous at 1-866-845-TIPS.