Estimated number of homicide victims of juvenile offenders, 1980-2010

Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, Working for Youth Justice and Safety

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Homicide

Q:	How many murders are committed by juvenile offenders in the United States?
A:	Known juvenile offenders were involved in at least 766 murders in the U.S. in 2010, representing about 8% of all known murder offenders.

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Between 1994 and 2003, the estimated number of murders involving a juvenile offender fell 65%, to its lowest level since at least 1980. However, between 2003 and 2006, the estimated number of juvenile murder offenders increased more than 30%, then fell 28% through 2010.
In the 1980s, 25% of the murders involving a juvenile offender also involved an adult offender. This proportion grew to 31% in the 1990s and averaged 38% for the years 2000–2010.

Internet citation: OJJDP Statistical Briefing Book. Online. Available: http://www.ojjdp.gov/ojstatbb/offenders/qa03105.asp?qaDate=2010. Released on July 31, 2012.

Data Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation. Supplementary Homicide Reports for the years 1980–2010 [machine-readable data files]. Washington, D.C.: FBI.