Breaking News: Police Killings in the United States Reach New High in 2023

In a shocking development, the number of people killed by police officers in the United States reached a new high in 2023, according to recent research. The Mapping Police Violence project, which has been diligently tracking police killings in the country since 2013, reported that officers killed 1,329 people last year. This represents an alarming increase of nearly 19 percent over the span of 11 years.

Since 2020, the number of deaths at the hands of police officers has been steadily rising. This was the year when thousands of protesters and civil rights activists took to the streets in Black Lives Matter demonstrations following the murder of George Floyd by Minneapolis police officers.

Mapping Police Violence’s research revealed that there were only 14 days in 2023 when a police officer did not kill someone. The project defines police killings as any incident where a law enforcement officer, whether on-duty or off-duty, applies lethal force resulting in the civilian’s death.

Furthermore, last year witnessed the sharpest increase in deaths compared to the previous year, with a 6.3 percent rise from 2022 to 2023. To put this into perspective, there were 1,250 police killings in 2022, 1,178 in 2021, and 1,251 in 2020.

Black People Disproportionately Affected

The Campaign Zero-run project also highlighted the stark racial disparities in police killings. Between 2013 and 2023, Black people were about 2.9 times more likely to be killed by officers than white people. This troubling statistic underscores the need for systemic change and reform within law enforcement agencies.

One of the victims of police violence last year was Tyre Nichols, a 29-year-old Black man who died after a traffic stop that resulted in a fatal beating by police officers. The five officers involved in the incident have now been indicted on federal charges, including second-degree murder, aggravated assault, aggravated kidnapping, official misconduct, and official oppression.

Increase in Shootings, but Decrease in Overall Shooting Deaths

According to USA Today, which first reported on last year’s data, 90 percent of those killed in 2023 were shot. However, the Gun Violence Archive, an organization that tracks shootings throughout the U.S., reported a decrease in shooting deaths overall for the same year. The organization also noted that over 800 suspects were injured in officer-involved shootings in 2023.

These alarming figures shed light on the urgent need for police reform and accountability. It is crucial that steps are taken to address the systemic issues that lead to these tragic incidents and ensure the safety and well-being of all citizens.

Disclaimer: This article is based on research conducted by the Mapping Police Violence project and other reputable sources. The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of any government or law enforcement agency.

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