Parker Waichman LLP

The Cities With the Most Fatal Police Shootings in the U.S.

It seems like every time we read the news, we see another story about someone being killed by police. The most recent high-profile death was that of George Floyd, a Minneapolis man who died after a police officer, Derek Chauvin, knelt on his neck for more than eight minutes. To contextualize the number of people […]

It seems like every time we read the news, we see another story about someone being killed by police. The most recent high-profile death was that of George Floyd, a Minneapolis man who died after a police officer, Derek Chauvin, knelt on his neck for more than eight minutes. To contextualize the number of people killed by police, we took data from the 100 most populous cities in the United States and compared their rates of fatal police shootings.

Click on the image to display at full size

The cities with the most fatal police shootings in the u.s.

Embed Code

<img src="https://www.yourlawyer.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/cities-most-fatal-police-shootings-6-1.png" alt="Cities With the Most Fatal Police Shootings in the U.S. - YourLawyer.com - Infographic" title="12 Cities With the Most Fatal Police Shootings in the U.S. - YourLawyer.com - Infographic"></a><br><a href="https://yourlawyercom.wpengine.com" alt="YourLawyer.com" title="YourLawyer.com">By YourLawyer.com</a>

Police Shooting Statistics by City

St. Louis has the largest percentage of fatal shootings per 100,000 residents. Roughly 36 out of every 100,000 St. Louis residents are shot and killed by police officers. This is 23% more than Orlando, which has seen the second-largest percentage of fatal shootings per 100,000 residents. Ninety of the 100 cities we analyzed had less than half the number of fatal shootings as St. Louis. Kansas City, another Missouri metropolis, also appears in the top ten at #6.

While New York City is the most populous city in the United States, having more than twice the number of residents as the second-most populous city, Los Angeles, it actually has the lowest rate of residents who are killed by police: 0.2 out of every 100,000 (or one in every half-million people). This is 83% lower than Plano, TX, the city in 99th place, and 99.5% lower than St. Louis.

Police killing statistics are part of the debate about the use of excessive force compared to the “protect and serve” duty, but they don’t tell the whole story. When we analyze police killings by race, the data shows strong disparities. The large percentage of black men killed by police has been used to suggest racial bias in law enforcement.

Police Killings by Race

Out of every 100,000 African-American men, 96 are shot and killed by police. This is highly disproportionate to the data for other races. It’s 39% more likely to see black men killed by police than American Indian and Alaskan Native men, 45% more likely than Latino men, and 59% more likely than white men.

These police killing statistics provide context for the widespread protests, some of them violent, in May and June 2020 following the killing of George Floyd. As of this writing, Chauvin has been charged with second-degree and third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter. Many believe he should face a first-degree murder charge. The other three officers on the scene of the incident have been fired from their positions and are charged with aiding and abetting second-degree murder and aiding and abetting second-degree manslaughter.

In fact, it is becoming more and more uncommon for criminal charges to be filed against police officers for shooting deaths. In 2014, only 2.1% of fatal police shootings led to criminal charges against the officer. By 2018, this number had shrunk to 0.2%. It’s unknown how these statistics will change with more public awareness.

Out of 5,536 people killed by police between 2014 and 2018, a whopping 4,962 (90%) were killed by gunshots, while 219 were killed by police in a vehicle. To be killed by asphyxiation, as an independent autopsy of Floyd determined, is very uncommon. Therefore, there’s little legal precedent to predict an outcome of the upcoming trial.

What Our Clients Say About Us
We have worked with thousands of clients and we appreciate them and their positive reviews. Here are just a few recent client reviews...
5 Star Reviews 150
Thank you for your help Cristian, you are doing a very good job.
L Puj
2 months ago
5 Star Reviews 150
Positive: Professionalism Always kept me informed in a timely manner
Donald Dodson
2 years ago
5 Star Reviews 150
the team of Parker Wachman (Josephine Burgess-Zephrine and Juno} showed courteous attention to my needs as my case is pending, it is not often one can find the dedication this team has shown in providing a client with the hands on attention that is needed in turmoil times involving a personal injury
steven grant
5 years ago

Why Choose Us to Help You?

We Take Care of Everything
Your situation is stressful enough: Let us take on the deadlines, paperwork, investigation, and litigation. We'll handle every detail so you don't have to worry.
No Recovery = No Legal Fees
We work on a contingency-fee basis, meaning that we only get paid from a portion of your settlement or jury award. If you don't get compensation, you owe us nothing.
Decades of Experience
Your situation is stressful enough: Let us take on the deadlines, paperwork, investigation, and litigation. We'll handle every detail so you don't have to worry.
Respected by Our Peers
Judges, insurance adjusters, and fellow attorneys all speak highly of our skills, and we've earned numerous accolades, including a flawless rating from AVVO.
We Have Many Locations To Serve You
We have the experience and the skilled litigators to win your case. Contact us and speak with a real attorney who can help you.
Long Island – Nassau
Parker Waichman LLP
6 Harbor Park Drive
Port Washington, NY 11050
Long Island – Suffolk
Parker Waichman LLP
201 Old Country Road – Suite 145
Melville, NY 11747
New York
Parker Waichman LLP
59 Maiden Lane, 6th Floor
New York, NY 10038
Queens
Parker Waichman LLP
118-35 Queens Boulevard, Suite 400
Forest Hills, NY 11375
Brooklyn
Parker Waichman LLP
300 Cadman Plaza West
One Pierrepont Plaza, 12th Floor
Brooklyn, NY 11201
New Jersey
Parker Waichman LLP
80 Main Street, Suite 265
West Orange, NJ 07052
Florida
Parker Waichman LLP
27299 Riverview Center Boulevard
Suite 108
Bonita Springs, FL 34134
Nationwide Service
Parker Waichman LLP
59 Maiden Lane, 6th Floor
New York, NY 10038