Cook County homicides in 2020 now exceed total for 2019

With 677 homicides in 2020, Cook County has exceeded 2019's total for the entire year, the Cook County medical examiner's office reported.

The medical examiner's office projected homicides could exceed 900 by Dec. 31, compared to 675 in 2019.

Of this year's cases, 565 were in Chicago. More than 86% were gun-related.

About 79% of victims were Black, and 16% were Latino.

The last time the Cook County medical examiner's office reported more than 900 homicides was in 2016, when there were 921 cases. Cook County also surpassed 900 homicides in 1995 and 1996.

In 1994, the medical examiner's office reported 1,141 homicides.