Baltimore, MD (December 4, 2025) – The Baltimore Police Department (BPD) is updating how it reports historical homicides, in accordance with the FBI's National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS). Historical homicides from 2022 to 2025 will be removed from the department’s yearly homicide counts, following guidance from the Maryland State Police and FBI officials.

A historical homicide refers to a case in which a death that is ruled a homicide, is reported in a year other than when the incident or crime originally occurred.

In October 2025, BPD was notified that the inclusion of certain historical homicide cases were counted in a manner inconsistent with the current reporting standards established by NIBRS. Since the adoption of NIBRS as the universal law enforcement reporting system, its definitions and reporting guidance have evolved. To ensure complete compliance and data accuracy, the BPD has conducted a comprehensive review of its historical homicide data. This review was undertaken in consultation and coordination with the Maryland State Police and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to ensure full alignment with federal and state reporting standards.

“The integrity of our data is critical to maintaining public trust and we want our community to have confidence that the information we share is both transparent and reliable,” said Police Commissioner Richard Worley. “We appreciate our partners at the Maryland State Police and the FBI for their collaboration in clarifying recent reporting guidance. We have updated our reporting practices to ensure our data continues to provide an accurate picture of public safety in our city.”

Effective immediately, historical homicide cases will be removed from the department’s annual homicide count. This adjustment will be noted in cases reported from 2021 onward, when BPD transitioned to the NIBRS, as mandated by the FBI for all law enforcement agencies nationwide.

As a result of this review, the Department has updated the way historical homicide cases are classified and reported. Under the current NIBRS guidance, the date of the original criminal incident, not the date of death, determines the year in which a homicide is recorded.

For example, if an individual was shot in 2022 and subsequently dies in 2025, and that death is ruled a homicide resulting from the 2022 incident, the case will be added to the 2022 homicide count, not the 2025 count.

• If the 2022 shooting case was previously cleared, the clearance will remain attributed to 2022.
• If the case is solved in 2025, the clearance will be recorded in 2025 to reflect the year of resolution.

The Department recognizes that this adjustment may lead to slight changes in previously reported homicide totals. However, this correction ensures that all crime data are consistent with NIBRS reporting protocols and reflect the highest standards of accuracy and transparency.

The department will begin to update all its homicide data that is published on Open Baltimore and available on our website. Additionally, daily numbers that are provided to the media will be updated, beginning today.

Attached you will find a review updated homicide total numbers from 2021 to today.

The following cases have been removed from the 2025 Homicide Count, in accordance to these changes:

Location	Date of Original Incident	Year Homicide was originally counted	Year Homicide is currently counted
600 Glenwood Ave	2/2/2011	2025	2011
1654 Ralworth Rd	11/1/2014	2025	2014
1654 Ralworth Rd	11/1/2014	2025	2014
1700 Pennsylvania Ave	7/7/2017	2025	2017

 

The year-to-date homicide and non-fatal shooting numbers are:

Homicides

2024 - 180

2025 - 124  

 

Non-Fatal Shootings

2024 - 386

2025 - 289

 

For more information about NIBRS, visit the FBI’s official website or learn more about national crime data reporting resources, here.

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Mission Statement

The Baltimore Police Department is dedicated to upholding the Constitution and enforcing laws in a fair, impartial, and ethical manner. We commit to creating and maintaining a culture of service that builds trust and legitimacy in all communities, values the sanctity of human life, and provides for the safety and well-being of all.

###