Gun violence in New York City has sharply increased, with reported gunfire rising more than 50% compared to the same time last year. In total, there were 23 shootings across the five boroughs since April 21, reflecting a 53% rise from 15 incidents during the same week in 2024.
Interestingly, last Tuesday saw temperatures soar to 82 degrees, marking it as the second warmest day in April this year, according to data from Accuweather.
Last week was, in fact, the warmest of the month, with average temperatures around 74 degrees.
Looking at a broader timeframe, NYPD figures indicate a 17% rise in shootings over the 28 days that ended on Sunday. That’s 61 shootings compared to 52 during the same period last year.
Tragically, the victims of last week’s violence included Exenia Mette, a 61-year-old grandmother and respected bodega owner in Harlem. Another victim, 28-year-old Doud Marji, was fatally shot while visiting friends in the Bronx just a day later.
On Sunday morning, two would-be criminals attempted to steal a neon green BMW in Queens, firing shots during the process. In another incident on Wednesday, a Times Square food vendor was shot dead following a dispute over a backpack.
Despite these alarming incidents, gun arrests have dropped by about 17% last week, with a 30% decline over the previous 28 days, according to NYPD data.
However, this spike in spring violence hasn’t derailed the overall decline in shootings for the year so far, with a 12% decrease in incidents reported in the first four months compared to last year. As of the end of April, there were a total of 213 gun-related incidents.
Notably, murders have decreased by 24% this year, resulting in 92 deaths, as per the data available.
The recent uptick in shootings occurred after a period where the city saw a 23% reduction in shootings in the first quarter of 2025. If this trend continues, New Yorkers might experience the lowest shooting rates recorded in nearly a decade, dating back to 2018.
Crime in the metro area remains below pre-pandemic levels, a milestone highlighted by NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tish, who addressed the recent surge in police presence on Thursday. Additionally, January and February of this year saw the fewest shootings in 30 years, which is quite significant.
