MILWAUKEE — Gun violence in Milwaukee decreased in 2023, according to statistics from the Milwaukee Police Department (MPD). 

In 2023, MPD reported there were 169 homicides. In 2022, MPD reported 215 homicides, meaning 2023 saw a reduction of homicides by about 20%.

MPD also reported that non-fatal shootings were down, from 876 in 2022, to 838 in 2023.

While the downward trend may appear promising to some, those who were impacted by gun violence in 2023 may not feel any comfort.

Lisa Jones is the executive director for Milwaukee Inner-City Congregations Allied for Hope (MICAH). Among other outreach efforts, MICAH works to reduce gun violence in the city and support shooting victims.

While downward gun violence trends are good to see, Jones said even one homicide in the city is too many.

“One death has the impact of impacting children, aunts, uncles, parents, grandparents, friends, the extended communities, so it is harm,” said Jones.

Jones said she believes it will take ongoing collaboration and community support to reduce gun violence further. She said she has seen those both progress with in recent years, but wants to see grow more.

“What we are finding is that it is going to take a holistic approach. It is going to take a human centered perspective looking at what are the causes of violence so we can disrupt it so people can be healthy spiritually, healthy mentally and they can be health physically,” said Jones.

Lynn Lewis, who is the director of 414 Life, is part of that collaborative approach. 414 Life, which is run through the Medical College of Wisconsin, works to reduce gun violence through violence intervention, community programs and education, as well as support for shooting victims.

Lewis said she is pleased to see shootings go down in 2023. She said she considers the statistics to be a sign that progress is being made. However, she said there is still a long way to go.

“I don’t think any of us put our guards down [after seeing the 2023 crime statistics],” said Lewis, “We are 100% doing that follow up, doing that assessment, providing resources and building our social capital so that we can meet the needs of individuals impacted by gun violence.”

Lewis said working to prevent violence while offering support to victims will remain a key focus of 414 Life in 2024.