Atlanta Murder History, Stats, Trends, and Popular Cases
Today, we will examine Atlanta, its history, and crime. Understanding these trends can help you get a better view of the city, it’s colorful past and high profile killers. This will give you a better sense of where to go and where not to go, but keep an open mind that while it may appear dangerous, that should not stop you from visiting-just be careful and keep an eye out.
Historical Context
Atlanta was created when the Western and Atlantic Railroad decided to set up a settlement in 1837. Briefly named Marthasville, it was renamed Atlanta in 1845 as more residents and homes moved in. With the expansion of the rail lines, Atlanta became the rail hub for the entire southern United States. This infrastructure would play a key role during the Civil War, as General Sherman destroyed much of the city’s buildings, homes, and historic sites. After the war, the population bloomed, and businesses such as Coca-Cola and other production magnates flooded the city with the need for industrialization.
Early Crime Trends
Atlanta has always struggled with racial tension as slavery was one of their primary economic elements until after the Civil War. After the war, many of these same slaves continued to work on their plantations out of necessity and from less scrupulous owners. This forms the basis for much of the early crime trends in the city as the years wore on. From 1850, Many of the slaves after the Civil War, settled in the area out of neccesity, which triggered hostility among the white population. In 1917, we see the Great Atlanta Fire that displaced 10,000 people, and the Great Depression wreaked havoc on much of the industrialization and employment opportunities in the area. Many of the crimes in the area are associated with assault, murder, and theft primarily due to social-economic needs.
20th Century Crime Developments
In 1917, the Great Atlanta Fire displaces 10,000 people, further adding issues with the crime rate as homelessness and wage divides created more significant social gaps with the populace. Come 1930, the Great Depression decimates what little is left of the lower class as industrialization is in shambles, and even Coca-Cola needs the government to bail them out. While civil rights and racial tensions remain a constant in the state, the city doesn’t experience any real deviation from crime statistics across the country; however, 1970-1980 is when Atlanta was hit by the crack epidemic, and combined with urban decay, the city experiences a mass exodus as Atlanta’s population decreased by at least 20% from 1970-1990. 1990 would also see the peak of violent crime in Atlanta with 10 in 100,000.
Cultural and socioeconomic influences
General urban decay and the breakdown of social systems has contributed to Atlanta’s reputation for violent crimes, specifically theft and homicide. Due to urban density and high poverty rates, Atlanta is home to property crimes most of all, with a larceny rate of 28.60/1,000 and one of the highest motor vehicle theft in the country at 6.82/1,000. The lack of economic opportunities also results in a high number of gangs and gang violence in the area as a result. Socioeconomic aspects such as addiction and rampant drug use results in a generally high crime rate. Atlanta’s overall crime rate is around 47.91/1,000 which places it very high compared to similar sized cities.
6. Statistical Overview
Historical statistics:
These are the historic murder rates for the city of Atlanta. Although there is no precise record, the trend has shown a decline after 2000.
1970-1980
- This decade is perhaps the worst of Atlanta’s issues with roughly 192 gangs operating in the area.
- Crack is introduced to the city, further exasperating crime rates
- Homicide rate climbs from 5/100,000 to 10/100,000 doubling the previous year
Recent Homicide statistics of the past 8 years
These are the homicide rate statistics for 2015-2023.
- 2023: 135 incidents
- 2022: 171 incidents
- 2021: 158 incidents
- 2020: 157 incidents
- 2019: 140 incidents
- 2018: 86 incidents
- 2017: 80 incidents
- 2016: 110 incidents
- 2015: 95 incidents
As you can see, Atlanta’s homicide rate has been slowly increasing each year, with a sharp increase in 2022. However, 2023 saw a massive decline in the overall rate by at least 21%.
Geographic Distribution
The map above shows hot spots throughout Atlanta. The darker regions are the most dangerous areas with notable areas including Mechanicsville, Grove Park, Adamsville, Adair Park, Oakland City, Vine City, English Avenue, Pittsburgh, Center Hill, Bank Head, and College Park. Mechanicsville claims the largest percentage with a violent crime rate of 2500/100,000.
7. Current Trends and Analysis
These are the current trends and the analysis of the data. In 2023, we saw a decline of homicide rates and an overall crime reduction of 21%.
Recent Yearly Data 2024
1. Total murders: 169+ incidents
2. Rape: 210 incidents
3. 736 Robbery cases
4. 3,197 Aggravated assault incidents
5. 19,600 property crime cases
6. Overall crime rate: 47.91/1,000
Monthly or seasonal variations
Monthly crime rates in Atlanta are typical of most cities, i.e., summer months tend to produce a high rate of violent crime due to tourist season, summer break for school, and the increased heat in the area. Rape and sexual assault rates are higher during the summer, and household burglary and theft rates also increase drastically during the summer months.
Impact of Recent Events
The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in a steady rise in homicide rates from 140 incidents to a current high of 169. Similarly, the state of the economy and overall lack of infrastructure in the city also play a significant role in its decline.
8. Comparative Analysis of Other Cities
So how does Atlanta compare to other cities of similar size?
Atlanta has a homicide rate of 14.9 per 100,000 residents.
1. Chicago
Chicago has a homicide rate of 25.8 per 100,000 residents
2. Baltimore
Baltimore has a homicide rate of 58.1 per 100,000 residents
3. St. Louis
St. Louis has a homicide rate of 68.2 per 100,000 residents
4. Philadelphia
Philadelphia has a homicide rate of 32.7 per 100,000 residents
5. Detroit
Detroit has a homicide rate of 48.9 per 100,000 residents
6. New Orleans
New Orleans has a homicide rate of 74.3 per 100,000 residents
As you can see, Atlanta’s homicide rate is comparatively low, but keep in mind that population density also plays a factor.
10 Popular Murder Cases and Serial Killers in Atlanta
1. Atlanta Child Murders
Between 1979 and 1981, 29 African-American children, teens, and young adults were kidnapped and murdered. Wayne Williams, an Atlanta native who was 23 years old at the time of the last murder, was eventually arrested, tried, convicted, and sentenced to two consecutive life sentences. Although Williams maintains his innocence to this day, the specific style and manner of these killings suddenly ceased after his arrest.
2. The Murder of Derwin Brown
Derwin Brown as a police captain and sheriff-elect of Dekalb County, having served the Dekalb County Police Department for over 23 years. On December 15, 2000, he was shot in his driveway in Decatur, Georgia. He was shot at least 11 times with an automatic weapon. The assassination was ordered by Sidney Dorsey, the incumbent sheriff and Melvin Walker, the former sheriff deputy who killed Derwin to prevent him from rooting out corruption in the sheriff’s office.
3. Atlanta Day Trading
On July 29, 1999, Mark Barton, a former day trader, killed his wife and two children at home before driving to Momentum Securities and All-Tech Investment Group and opened fire. Nine people were killed in the shootings, with 13 injured. The motive is believed to be Barton’s financial loss over the last two months. Barton fled the scene and committed suicide.
4. Brian Nichols
On March 11, 2005, Brian Nichols was on trial for rape at the Fulton County Courthouse when he overpowered a deputy, took her gun, and killed four people as he fled the courthouse and evaded law enforcement. He was apprehended 26 hours later and indicted on over 54 counts to which he was found guilty. His case led to a wide-scale increase in courthouse security measures nationwide.
5. Atlanta Spa Shootings
On March 16, 2021, Robert Long, 21 years old, shot up three spas/massage parlors, resulting in the deaths of at least eight people. The attack appeared to be racially motivated as all victims were of Asian descent.
6. Timothy Coggins
Timothy Coggins was a 23-year-old African American from Georgia who was murdered on October 7th, 1983. He was brutally stabbed, chained behind a vehicle, and dragged through a field. The case remained cold for 33 years until 2016 when the case was re-examined. Franklin Gebhardt and William Moore were both convicted of malice murder after Coggin’s clothes were retrieved from Gebhardt’s property. The case has been likened to lynching and seems to be racially motivated.
7. Mary and Elwyn Crocker
Mary and Elwyn Crocker were found buried in the backyard of their family home in late 2018 during a welfare check. The children were reportedly kept in dog kennels and were sexually abused and starved. The children’s father, stepmother, step-grandmother, and step-uncle have all been charged with child abuse. A lawsuit has been brought up by the school regarding the fact that their abuse was reported to a school counselor in 2017, but no action was taken. The case is still on going and has raised questions about the systems in place for protecting children.
8. Northside Hospital Shooting
On May 3, 2023, Deion Patterson, a 24-year-old, opened fire at the facility, resulting in 3 critical injuries and killing one. All victims were women, ranging from ages from 25-71. The perpetrator’s motive appears to be agitation at the staff as he had an appointment at the hospital. He was later apprehended and charged with one count of murder and four counts of aggravated assault.
9. Gary Michael Hilton
Otherwise known as “The National Forest Serial Killer”, Hilton was responsible for at least three known homicides between 2007-2008. A former Army veteran and survivalist, he would kill his victims in national forests. He was caught trying to clean his van of evidence and sentenced to four life sentences.
10. Woolfolk Massacre
On August 6, 1887, nine members of the Woolfolk family were brutally murdered with an axe. The primary suspect was Thomas Woolfolk as he was the only family member not killed during the massacre. Police found no signs of forced entry, but Thomas was found with bloodstains on his clothes. He was found guilty and hanged in October 29, 1890.
Conclusion
Atlanta has a storied history centered around slavery that it won’t soon forget. This causes generational trauma, which coupled with the social-economical elements of the area, make it a tumultuous city to live in. The crime rate dropped last year, but it looks to rebound in 2024 with a high of 169. Because of the strife that the city has experienced, it’s easy to see why it has a reputation for being a dangerous city. However, like everywhere else, it’s important to stay vigilant, no matter where you live.
FAQs
What are the most dangerous neighborhoods in Atlanta?
Mechanicsville, Vine City, English Avenue, Adair Park, Oakland City, Sweet Auburn, Lakewood Heights, Five Points, Grove Park, and Center Hill are all neighborhoods with a high rate of violent crime and property crime due to the high socioeconomic disparities in the areas.
What is the solve rate of homicide cases in Atlanta?
79% as of 2024 with an 84% chance resulting in an arrest.
What are my odds of being a victim of a violent crime in Atlanta?
Your odds of being a victim of a violent crime are 1 in 116. You have a higher chance of being a victim of property crime with a 1 in 25 probability. Atlanta maintains a violent crime rate of 8.4 per 1,000 residents, which is very high.
References
- https://www.nola.com/news/crime_police/how-does-this-years-murder-rate-in-new-orleans-compare-with-previous-years-see-the/article_ed086c84-4599-11ed-a3e1-e75e7b51a8ed.html
- https://www.macrotrends.net/global-metrics/cities/us/la/new-orleans/murder-homicide-rate-statistics
- https://www.britannica.com/place/New-Orleans-Louisiana/History
- https://www.ojp.gov/pdffiles1/Digitization/155214NCJRS.pdf
- https://www.rit.edu/liberalarts/sites/rit.edu.liberalarts/files/docs/SOC/CLA_CPSI_2023_WorkingPapers/CPSI%20Working%20Paper%202023.02_2022%20US%20City%20Homicide%20Stats.pdf
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Orleans_crime_family
- https://listverse.com/2023/06/22/10-violent-and-frightening-unsolved-crimes-from-new-orleans/
- https://kpel965.com/new-orleans-louisiana-has-one-of-the-10-most-dangerous-neighborhoods-in-america/#:~:text=Overall%2C%20New%20Orleans%20is%20one,by%20an%20NBC%20News%20report.