The Impact of COVID-19 on Teenage Homicide Incidence- A Retrospective Review of Teenage Homicides in Maryland from 2018-2021.docx

Abstract

<p> </p> <p>In March of 2020 the CDC confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the state of Maryland, after which major metropolitan areas observed an increase in violent crime, including homicide. Homicides in the United States disproportionately affect minorities, and previous research also indicates that increased economic deprivation and social disorganization correlates with increased rates of homicide. The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated economic disparities and may have magnified existing disparities in homicide rates. Few studies have examined the incidence of teenage homicides throughout the United States, especially during COVID-19 pandemic. </p> <p>We conducted a retrospective case review of homicides involving youth between the ages 13-19 from 2018 to 2021 with the aim of assessing if COVID-19 affected rates of youth homicide.</p> <p>A total of 230 teenage homicides occurred in Maryland from 2018 to 2021 with 113 cases during the pre-COVID-19 pandemic period (2018/2019) and 117 cases during the COVID-19 pandemic (2020/2021). The majority of teenage homicide victims were African American male. More than 83% and 79% of victims were African American in 2018/2019 and 2020/2021, respectively. Victims were also predominantly male (90% in 2018/2019, and 88% in 2020/2021). Maryland has a population of approximately 6 million people and is made up of 23 counties and Baltimore City. More than 64% teenage homicides occurred in Baltimore city (N=108) and Prince George's County (N=44). While the average victim age did not vary considerably between 2018/2019 (17.8 years) and 2020/2021 (17.5 years), the percentage of cases involving victims ages 13-15 more than doubled from 5.3% of cases in 2018/2019 to 12% of cases in 2020/2021. The majority of teenage homicide cases were due to firearm injuries, but during the Covid-19 pandemic we saw a rise in violence involving sharp objects such as knives. The incidence of teenage homicide did not change considerably during the COVID-19 pandemic, although we did observe a trend toward younger males who were African American. Individuals of every stratum—be it age, race, gender, or socioeconomic status—can be involved in incidents of homicide, but those who fall within certain criteria tend to be more at risk of being involved in these violent crimes. Strategies in identifying these at-risk groups can shed light on the root cause of youth violence and aid in possible prevention tactics. </p>