The first half of the year has brought a noticeable trend of several child deaths among homicide numbers, including a 14-year-old found shot dead in the snow, a 2-year-old left alone and neglected inside an apartment, and a 5-year-old choked to death with her father charged in her killing.
Each year has its own set of trends, but overall, violence involving guns has remained a constant cause of homicides for the city.
According to IndyStar and Indianapolis Metropolitan Police data, however, in the first six months of 2025, there has been a significant dip in year-to-date deaths compared to the past five years.
“This should give our community hope, but we can’t do it alone,” Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Chief Chris Bailey told IndyStar. “We need our community to continue coming alongside us as we work to make Indianapolis a safer place for everyone. The work continues, and we’re not letting up.”
Summer officially starts on June 20, and while the warm months usually see more violence in the city, killings are down for the first half of the year compared to the same time last year. Indianapolis is not unique in this, as national trends show violent crime has been down in the first half of 2025, according to the Real-Time Crime Index. Major Cities Chiefs Association data shows homicides this year are down from 2024 in the first three months of the year.
While statistics show a downward trend, Bailey said it’s not a signal for the department to slow down.
Brandon Randall, with Power of Tru Colors, who has worked with at-risk youth and young adults for 18 years, agrees. While there have been success stories, he’s seen a few of the kids he’s worked with die from violence.
“Because the homicide numbers are down, there’s a lack of urgency,” Randall told IndyStar. “There is still a gun access problem with young people and adults. But I think there are more intentional conversations being had on the root causes of violence. It boils down to trauma, mental health, and poverty.”
IndyStar’s data below captures the year-to-date homicides for the first few months over the past five years.
YTD January homicides
There were 15 homicides in January. Most are shooting deaths, but one woman died from asphyxia after being beaten with a hammer, and a toddler died from exposure due to being neglected.
YTD February homicides
There were 11 homicides in February. Most are shooting deaths, except one woman died from blunt force trauma after being beaten to death. There was also one officer-involved shooting death that occurred.
YTD March homicides
There were 14 homicides in March. Most were shooting deaths, except for one man who died from a stabbing.
YTD April homicides
There were 8 homicides in April, and all of them were shooting deaths.
YTD May homicides
There were 12 homicides in May. Most were shooting deaths, except one victim who was stabbed, another who died after being hit by a vehicle, and 5-year-old Zara Arnold, who died from asphyxia after being choked.
YTD June homicides
As of June 20, 2025, at 8 a.m., there have been two homicides in June, and both were shooting deaths.
IndyStar is tracking homicide data for 2025
Jade Jackson is a Public Safety Reporter for the Indianapolis Star. You can email her at Jade.Jackson@IndyStar.com and follow her on X, formerly Twitter @IAMJADEJACKSON.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Indianapolis crime: A year over year look at homicide data and how we’re doing in 2025
Reporting by Jade Jackson, Indianapolis Star / Indianapolis Star
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
