NYC Records Historic Lows in Shootings and Murders for 2026
New York City has recorded the fewest shootings and murders in its recorded history for the first seven months of 2026. The milestone is accompanied by a significant drop in overall major crime across the five boroughs.
New York City has officially recorded the fewest shootings and murders in recorded history during the first seven months of 2026, according to official data released on August 4, 2026. Alongside these unprecedented declines in violent crime, the city also experienced a notable 6.6% drop in overall major crime during the same seven-month period, as reported by the New York Police Department.
The positive public safety trends extended deeply into the summer months, with major crime dropping by 12.7% in July compared with the exact same month last year. Specifically, shooting incidents fell by 21.3% in July and were down by 7.5% for the year to date. Furthermore, shooting victims declined by 12% in July and dropped by 5.5% over the broader seven-month period.
Violent crime metrics showed some of the most dramatic improvements in the category of homicides. Murders fell by 32.3% in July alone and decreased by 22.8% for the year to date. These historic figures build upon a transformative year for the city's leadership, which earlier in 2026 saw Zohran Mamdani become New York City's first Muslim mayor.
Addressing the remarkable operational environment, Jessica S. Tisch highlighted the immense pressure faced by law enforcement. "This summer, the NYPD was called upon to manage an unprecedented series of major and overlapping events, including the NBA Finals, the World Cup, Sail250, and the largest Fourth of July celebration in the country," Tisch stated.
Tisch further commended the resilience of the police force, noting that "Through it all, even as the demands on this department reached historic levels, the men and women of the NYPD delivered double-digit declines in major crime and record lows in violent crime across the city."
Explaining the strategy behind these achievements, Tisch added, "For the first seven months of this year and in the month of July, New York City experienced the fewest murders, shooting incidents, and shooting victims in recorded history. These incredible public safety achievements are the result of our data-driven precision policing strategy and the tireless work of the members of the NYPD whose long hours and dedication continue to make New York City safer."
