Milwaukee homicides declined, shootings increased

MILWAUKEE — Homicides in Milwaukee were down in 2011 but the number of nonfatal shootings increased over the year before.

According to a report released Tuesday by the Milwaukee Homicide Review Commission, homicides decreased from 95 in 2010 to 86 last year. The report notes that 76 percent of the victims had previous run-ins with the law and 90 percent of the suspects did.

The top two circumstances leading to the homicides were arguments and drugs.

Nonfatal shootings increased 18 percent from 2010 to 473 in 2011 and those involved mostly robberies, arguments and drugs.

The report also noted the number of domestic violence homicides decreased from 19 in 2010 to 9 in 2011.

Organizers say the data can be used in violence reduction programs and practices.