Nashville, TN – Nashville has once again surpassed a grim milestone, with more than 100 homicides recorded in 2024. This marks the fourth consecutive year the city has reached triple-digit homicide numbers, a troubling trend that shows no sign of abating.
The city’s homicide rate first broke the 100-mark in 2017, ending a nearly two-decade streak of fewer than 100 homicides annually. Since then, violent crime in Nashville has continued to escalate, with the South precinct seeing the steepest increase. Data from the Metro Nashville Police Department (MNPD) shows an alarming 81% rise in homicides in that area compared to the previous year.
In addition to the recent surge, Tennessee has ranked among the highest states in gun-related violence. According to a report by EveryStat, based on CDC mortality data between 2019 and 2023, an average of 633 people per year die in the state due to gun-related homicides or police shootings. This places Tennessee eighth in the nation for gun homicide deaths, with a rate of 9.7 per 100,000 people.
The rise in violence has sparked renewed conversations about safety in Nashville, particularly following several high-profile incidents. In October, a murder on an Antioch greenway raised alarms, and a targeted shooting in a Nashville park in December further intensified concerns. Governor Bill Lee addressed the issue publicly, calling the shootings “unacceptable” and reaffirming his administration’s commitment to enhancing public safety across the state.
“We’ve made significant investments in law enforcement and public safety,” Governor Lee stated at a press event following the Hamilton Creek Recreation Area shooting in December. “Whatever the circumstances are, it’s tragic, and it’s something that we ought to continuously be focused on.”
In response to mounting public safety concerns, local officials have begun taking action. The Metro Parks Department announced the deployment of two officers to patrol Nashville’s greenways, which have become focal points for recent violence. The city also plans to allocate more funding for greenway maintenance in the upcoming budget, with hopes that these investments will contribute to safer public spaces.
As Nashville continues to grapple with the rise in violence, city leaders and state officials are under increasing pressure to find solutions that will ensure the safety of residents and visitors alike. The year 2024 marks a pivotal moment for the city, as its leaders confront the challenge of reversing a troubling trend in violent crime and restoring public confidence in its safety.
