What the numbers show
Durham's first-quarter crime report shows deadly shootings doubled in the first three months of 2026 compared to the same period last year, rising from five to ten. Overall homicides climbed 44.4%. Non-fatal shooting victims jumped 57.7%, from 26 to 41 people with gunshot wounds between January and March. The report also includes a map showing clusters of shooting incidents concentrated in specific parts of the city.
Broader violent crime picture
The surge was not confined to shootings. Rape investigations rose 26.5%, from 34 to 43 cases in the first quarter. Aggravated assaults climbed 14.8%. Robbery was the single category that moved the other direction, dropping 26.2% year over year.
How the mayor is responding
Mayor Leonardo Williams has made public safety the center of his agenda, addressing the numbers directly. "The people doing the shooting and the people mostly getting shot, they look like me," he said. "It's not just policy. It's pain that I refuse to become numb to, and that is why I refuse to give up."
Williams has called for unified community action alongside city-led efforts. "We're already punching above our weight," he said. "Imagine what we could do if we would all get on the same page."
What comes next
Durham is navigating this moment without a permanent police chief. Chief Patrice Andrews stepped down in April, and Deputy Chief Walter Tate is serving as interim. The Durham City Council is scheduled to meet in a work session to review the full crime report on Thursday.