Most Likely Circumstances for Murder

By:  LINDSEY O’NEILL, ESQ.

It is a little strange to think about how you would most likely be murdered, but it is a thought (or a nightmare) that is actually pretty common.  Perhaps those crime thriller movies and TV shows get under our skin a bit more than we think they do.  Perhaps there is something even bigger at work on our collective consciousness. At any rate, the FBI compiles a variety of data about the rates and types of homicide in the United States. 

Here are some interesting facts about murder:

• In 2007, there were 14,831 murder victims. 
• You are most likely to be murdered by someone you know – Of the 14,831 murders in 2007, about half of them were murdered by someone they knew (acquaintance, family member, romantic partner, neighbor or work colleague) and only about 1,900 victims were murdered by a stranger. 
• You are most likely to be murdered within the context of an argument (about 1/3 of murders).  Next to arguments, you are most likely to be murdered in connection with a robbery, a drug deal, or a juvenile gang killing. 

Some of the details about murder from the FBI are as follows:

• 1,021 people were murdered during a robbery, burglary, or other thefts (non-motor vehicle related)
• 676 people were murdered in connection with a juvenile gang
• 583 people were murdered in connection with narcotic drugs
• 105 people were murdered within the context of a romantic triangle
• 77 people were victims of gangland killings
• 58 people were killed in connection with arson
• 34 children were killed by a babysitter
• 31 people were murdered in connection with a rape
• 20 people were murdered in connection with an auto theft
• 11 people were murdered in connection with prostitution and another 9 in connection with other sex offenses
• 4 people were killed in connection with gambling

(The FBI data also shows 2,633 additional victims were murdered without specifying the circumstances of the homicide.)  For more information, see the FBI Homicide Data Table for 2007.

Keep in mind, the above statistics are related to homicides – murders.  Unfortunately, a lot of people are killed by drunk drivers each year as well.   The CDC reports that there are upwards of 14,000 people killed by drunk drivers annually in recent years.

For more information about murder, visit LawInfo’s Legal Resource Center or contact an attorney in your area today.