With 27th homicide, Boston surpasses last year’s total with 2 months to go

The death of a Roxbury woman on Monday marked the 27th homicide in Boston this year, more than were recorded all of last year, which officials acknowledged was a historical outlier.

Only 24 homicides were recorded in the state’s largest city in 2024, the lowest figure in decades. This time last year, the city had seen 18, Sgt. Detective John Boyle, a spokesman for the police department, confirmed.

Boston is on pace for about 34 homicides this year, a figure more closely in line with the three years before 2024. The city saw 37 homicides in 2023 and 40 in 2022 and 2021.

Still, despite the rising number of homicides, the number of shootings recorded in the city has remained relatively stable compared to last year. As of Oct. 12, there had been 15 fatal shootings and 91 non-fatal shootin