CHICAGO - The year 2020 ended in Chicago with more homicides than in all but one year in more than two decades.
Police on Friday reported that there were 769 homicides compared with 495 in 2019.
The surge in the number of homicides and shootings comes after three straight years in which the totals have fallen after climbing to 784 in 2016.
Other cities around the U.S. also saw increased violence in 2019.
Law enforcement officials and experts around the U.S. have pointed to social and economic upheaval caused by the coronavirus and public sentiment toward policing following the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis as contributing factors.
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Would-be robber shot by concealed carry holder inside cell phone store in Chicago
A man on the scene shot the robbery suspect in the chest and abdomen, police said. It is not clear if the man was the owner, employee, or another customer. Police said the shooter had a permit to carry a concealed weapon.