Number of justifiable homicides U.S. 2007-2023

Published by Statista Research Department, Nov 12, 2024

In 2023, law enforcement officers committed 303 justifiable homicides in the United States. A justifiable homicide is defined as the killing of a felon during the commission of a felony. 

What is homicide?

Homicide occurs when one person kills another; however it is not exactly the same as murder. It may or may not be considered criminal. Legal examples include a person killing an intruder in their home or capital punishment. There are different types of homicide, which includes murder and manslaughter.

Homicide trends in the United States

As of 2023, California had the highest number of homicides, followed by Texas, Florida, Pennsylvania, and North Carolina. That same year, murders with one victim and one offender were the most common in the United States. Overall, the United States has had a much higher rate of homicide in the past years when compared to their neighbor, Canada.

Number of justifiable homicides by law enforcement officers and private citizens in the United States from 2007 to 2023

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Release date

September 2024

Region

United States

Survey time period

2007 to 2023

Supplementary notes

A justifiable homicide is defined as the killing of a felon, during the commission of a felony.
Data for prior to 2015 can be found here.

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Overview

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Regional comparisons

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Victims and offenders

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Fatalities by firearm

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School and workplace homicides

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Death rate disparities

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