BY KALEY FOWLER
Homicide Watch Chicago
Chicago finished July with 39 murders, a significant decrease compared to Julys of recent years.
The 39 killings were a 17 percent decrease from 2013, when 47 people were murdered in July, according to police data. It was also a 20 percent decrease from 2012 and a 29 percent decrease from 2011, when 55 people were murdered in July.
This year, 13 of the 39 murders happened over the Fourth of July holiday weekend, when at least 58 other people were shot and wounded. However, the second half of the month was far less violent and had two four-day stretches without a homicide.
Overall, police reported 210 murders in the first seven months of 2014 -- a 7 percent decrease from the 227 killings in the first seven months of 2013 and a 30 percent decrease from 302 slayings over the same period in 2012.
The final murder of the month happened July 31 when 34-year-old Samuel Walker was chased down a Humbold Park street and shot dead in a driveway, authorities said. Walker's son, 13-year-old Samuel Walker Jr., had been shot to death just a week earlier in the East Garfield Park neighborhood.
Chicago Police spokesman Martin Maloney said the first seven months of 2014 had fewer murders than any year since 1963.
The Cook County medical examiner's office, which counts killings different, had reported 232 homicides, including nine police involved shootings. Police have ruled some of the killings justified self defense or involuntary manslaughter.
Despite the drop in murders, police reported 127 more shooting victims in the first seven months of 2014 compared to the first period last year, according to police data.
Police reported 324 shooting victims in July 2013 compared to 274 in July 2013 and 334in 2012.
"Despite having the fewest murders to date since 1963, we know there is still much more work to be done,” Police Supt. Garry McCarthy said in a statement. “We will continue executing our strategy, putting more officers on the street in summer months, proactively intervening in gang conflicts, partnering with community leaders, and with the mayor’s leadership the city will continue investing in prevention programs for at-risk youth.”
-- Contributing: Michael Lansu