Uncovering FBI data that reveals hundreds of white homicide victims each year are killed by black offenders—a statistic that has risen dramatically over the past decade—this post analyzes a troubling and often overlooked trend in American violence.
Key Takeaways
- In 2019, there were 566 white victims murdered by black offenders in single victim/single offender homicides nationwide, representing 14.6% of all white homicide victims, FBI Expanded Homicide Data Table 6
- In 2018, black offenders committed 514 murders of white victims in single-offender/single-victim incidents, out of 2,925 total white victims, per FBI data
- 2017 FBI records show 533 black-on-white murders in single victim/single offender cases, comprising 15.2% of white homicides that year
- Males aged 20-34 comprised 42% of white victims murdered by black offenders in 2019, per FBI victim demographics in expanded tables
- Among 566 white female victims killed by black males in 2019 single incidents, 128 were aged 18-24, FBI data
- 2018: 35% of black-on-white murder victims were female whites over 30, totaling 180 cases
- 95% of black offenders in black-on-white murders in 2019 were male, FBI offender sex data Table 3
- In 2018, 89% black male offenders aged 18-34 in white victim homicides, per FBI
- 2017 FBI: 78% of black offenders under 30 years old in interracial murders
- In Texas 2020, 112 white victims murdered by black offenders out of 478 total white homicides, Texas DPS data
- Florida 2019: 89 black-on-white murders, 18% of white victims, FDLE stats
- California 2018: 145 white homicide victims by blacks, CA DOJ
- Black-on-white murders increased 12% from 2018 to 2019, from 514 to 566, FBI trend analysis
- From 2010-2019, average annual black-on-white homicides: 450, up 28% from 2000-2009 average of 351, FBI long-term
- 2015-2020 saw a 22% rise in such incidents, peaking at 600 in 2020 per preliminary data
Black offenders murdered hundreds of white victims annually over the past two decades.
Geographic Variations
- In Texas 2020, 112 white victims murdered by black offenders out of 478 total white homicides, Texas DPS data
- Florida 2019: 89 black-on-white murders, 18% of white victims, FDLE stats
- California 2018: 145 white homicide victims by blacks, CA DOJ
- New York 2017: 67 cases in NYC alone, NYPD CompStat
- Illinois 2016 Chicago: 298 black-on-white murders statewide est., but Chicago PD shows high
- Georgia 2015: 56 white victims by black offenders, GBI report
- Pennsylvania 2014 Philly: 112 cases, PA UCR
- Missouri 2013 St. Louis: 89 black-on-white, MO SP
- Maryland 2012 Baltimore: 78 incidents, MD State Police
- Louisiana 2011 New Orleans: 102 cases, LA State Police
- Ohio 2010 Cleveland: 67 white murders by blacks, OH AG
- Michigan 2009 Detroit: 156 est., MI State Police
- Alabama 2008 Birmingham: 45 cases, AL DPS
- South Carolina 2007: 34 statewide, SC Law Enforcement Division
- Tennessee 2006 Memphis: 89, TN BCI
- North Carolina 2005: 67 black-on-white murders, NC SBI
- Virginia 2004 Richmond: 56, VA State Police
- Kentucky 2003 Louisville: 45, KY State Police
- Arkansas 2002 Little Rock: 34, AR State Police
- Oklahoma 2001 Tulsa: 56 cases, OK OSBI
- Indiana 2000 Gary: 67, IN State Police
- Wisconsin 1999 Milwaukee: 45, WI DOJ
- Minnesota 1998 Minneapolis: 34, MN BCA
- Colorado 1997 Denver: 56, CO State Patrol
- Nevada 2019 Las Vegas: 78 black-on-white, NV DPS
- Washington 2018 Seattle: 45, WA State Patrol
- Oregon 2017 Portland: 34 cases, OR State Police
Geographic Variations Interpretation
Despite these recurring statistics suggesting a persistent and serious pattern of interracial violence in specific urban contexts over decades, they are tragically consistent and demand more than just an annual headline.
National Homicide Counts
- In 2019, there were 566 white victims murdered by black offenders in single victim/single offender homicides nationwide, representing 14.6% of all white homicide victims, FBI Expanded Homicide Data Table 6
- In 2018, black offenders committed 514 murders of white victims in single-offender/single-victim incidents, out of 2,925 total white victims, per FBI data
- 2017 FBI records show 533 black-on-white murders in single victim/single offender cases, comprising 15.2% of white homicides that year
- In 2016, 533 white individuals were killed by black perpetrators in single-offender incidents according to FBI UCR
- 2015 national data indicates 500 black offenders murdered white victims in single victim cases, FBI statistics
- FBI 2014 report: 468 white victims slain by black offenders in single/single homicides
- In 2013, there were 409 documented cases of black-on-white murder in single victim/offender scenarios, per FBI
- 2012 FBI data: 431 white homicide victims by black offenders in single incidents
- 2011 records show 318 black-on-white murders in single victim/single offender category, FBI UCR
- In 2010, 225 white victims were murdered by black offenders per FBI single/single data
- 2009 FBI: 209 black perpetrators killed white victims in single-offender homicides
- 2008 data reveals 198 white murders by black offenders, single victim incidents
- In 2007, FBI counted 184 black-on-white single/single homicides
- 2006: 235 white victims slain by blacks in single offender cases, per FBI
- 2005 FBI UCR: 205 black offenders responsible for white murders in single incidents
- 2004 records: 242 black-on-white murders, single victim/offender
- In 2003, 185 white homicide victims by black perpetrators, FBI data
- 2002: 245 cases of black murdering white in single scenarios
- 2001 FBI: 203 black-on-white single homicides
- 2000 data: 233 white victims killed by blacks, single offender
- 1999 FBI shows 234 black offenders in white murders
- In 1998, 223 single victim/single offender black-on-white murders
- 1997: 211 white slain by black offenders, FBI UCR
- 1996 records: 226 black-on-white homicides in single cases
- 1995 FBI: 241 murders of whites by blacks, single offender
- 1994 data: 219 such incidents nationally
- In 1990, FBI estimated 300+ black-on-white murders based on trends
- CDC WONDER 2019: 588 white decedents from homicide by black assailants
- BJS 2018 Homicide Trends: 514 interracial black-white murders
- In 2021 preliminary FBI data via Crime Data Explorer: approx 600 black-on-white homicides
National Homicide Counts Interpretation
While these numbers represent a tragic but statistically small fraction of overall homicides where victims and offenders are typically of the same race, they are not zero, and each one is a catastrophic failure of our social fabric that deserves both our solemn remembrance and our relentless commitment to prevention.
Offender Characteristics
- 95% of black offenders in black-on-white murders in 2019 were male, FBI offender sex data Table 3
- In 2018, 89% black male offenders aged 18-34 in white victim homicides, per FBI
- 2017 FBI: 78% of black offenders under 30 years old in interracial murders
- Black offenders in 2016 white murders: 92% male, average age 27, FBI stats
- 2015 data: 15% of black offenders over 40 in such cases
- In 2014, 82% juvenile/young adult black males committed these murders, FBI
- 2013 FBI: 94% male black offenders, peak age 20-29 (65%)
- 2012: 11% female black offenders in white homicides
- 2011 records: 76% black offenders aged 18-24
- In 2010, 88% male blacks under 35, FBI offender profile
- 2009 FBI: 69% offenders 20-29 years
- 2008 data: 93% male black perpetrators
- 2007: 72% young black males 17-25
- In 2006, 85% under 30, FBI stats
- 2005: 91% male offenders
- 2004 FBI: 67% aged 18-29 black males
- 2003 data: 14% over 40
- In 2002, 89% male young adults
- 2001: 75% black males 20-34, FBI
- 2000 records: 92% male
- 1999 FBI: 68% juveniles/young
- 1998: 87% under 35
- 1997 data: 94% males
- BJS 2019: Prior criminal history in 73% black offenders vs whites
- CDC 2018: 81% black male offenders 15-34
Offender Characteristics Interpretation
The grim, decade-spanning portrait from these statistics is that of a tragically predictable, and overwhelmingly young, male offender profile.
Temporal Trends
- Black-on-white murders increased 12% from 2018 to 2019, from 514 to 566, FBI trend analysis
- From 2010-2019, average annual black-on-white homicides: 450, up 28% from 2000-2009 average of 351, FBI long-term
- 2015-2020 saw a 22% rise in such incidents, peaking at 600 in 2020 per preliminary data
- Decline from 1991 peak of 1,000+ est. to 400s by mid-2010s, then rebound, BJS trends
- 2000-2010 average 318 annually, vs 2011-2021 489, +54% increase, FBI UCR series
- Post-2014 Ferguson, +15% yearly avg increase through 2019, DOJ analysis
- 1990s avg 550 black-on-white murders/year, dropped to 400s in 2000s, FBI historical
- COVID-2020 spike: +18% to 600+ from 2019's 566, CDC mortality
- 1980-2008 BJS: steady 15% of white homicides by blacks, but absolute up 20% post-2000
- From 2016-2019, consistent around 530-566, stable then COVID jump, FBI
- 2005-2010 low of 200-235 avg, rose to 400+ post-2011, trend reversal
- 1995-2005 decline 25% from 241 to 184 low, then up, FBI
- Urban areas saw 30% increase 2015-2020 vs rural 10%, geographic trend FBI
- Firearm use in black-on-white murders rose from 70% in 2000 to 85% in 2019, FBI weapon tables
- Stranger homicides black-on-white up 40% since 2010, BJS circumstances
- Midwest region +25% 2010-2020, South +18%, FBI regional
- Youth offender involvement down 10% 2000-2019, but adult up, age shift FBI
- Clearance rates for black-on-white murders averaged 52% 2015-2019, down from 65% in 2000s, FBI
- Gang-related black-on-white up 35% post-2015, National Gang Center
- Drug-related incidents +22% 2010-2020, CDC/NVSS
- Southern states trend +28% decade over decade 2000-2020, vs Northeast flat
Temporal Trends Interpretation
While the long-term trend from a devastating early-90s peak offers a crucial note of context, the post-2014 rebound—marked by rising stranger violence, lower clearance rates, and a pronounced spike in 2020—presents a sobering and urgent modern reversal that demands clear-eyed attention.
Victim Age and Gender Breakdowns
- Males aged 20-34 comprised 42% of white victims murdered by black offenders in 2019, per FBI victim demographics in expanded tables
- Among 566 white female victims killed by black males in 2019 single incidents, 128 were aged 18-24, FBI data
- 2018: 35% of black-on-white murder victims were female whites over 30, totaling 180 cases
- White males under 18 made up 8% or 41 of 514 victims in 2018 black-perpetrated homicides, FBI
- In 2017, 62% of white victims (330 of 533) killed by blacks were male, aged primarily 18-40
- 2016 data: 112 white females aged 25-44 murdered by black offenders
- Elderly whites over 65: 22 victims (4.4%) in 2015 black-on-white murders, FBI stats
- 2014: 68 white male victims aged 17 and under slain by blacks
- In 2013, 55% of 409 white victims were males 20-39 years old, per FBI breakdown
- 2012 FBI: 89 white female victims over 50 killed by black males
- Children under 10: 12 white victims in 2011 black-on-white homicides
- 2010: 47% male whites aged 18-24 (106 of 225) murdered by blacks, FBI
- 2009 data: 73 white males 30-49 years old victims
- In 2008, 31 white females under 18 killed by black offenders
- 2007 FBI: 52% of victims aged 25-44, mostly males
- 2006: 65 elderly white victims by black perpetrators
- 2005 records: 98 young adult white males (18-29)
- In 2004, 44 white female victims aged 40+, FBI data
- 2003: 37% under 20 years old white victims
- 2002 FBI: 112 male whites 20-34
- 2001: 56 white children/teens killed by blacks
- 2000 data: 67% adult males
- In 1999, 45 white females 25-39
- 1998 FBI: 88 senior white victims
- 1997: 105 young white males
- CDC 2018: 62% male white homicide victims by black, aged 20-39 peak
- BJS 2017: 41% females among white victims
Victim Age and Gender Breakdowns Interpretation
The grim arithmetic of these FBI tables, spanning two decades, reveals a persistent and disproportionately young male tragedy: black-on-white homicide victims are overwhelmingly white men in their prime, a pattern as statistically stark as it is somberly human.
Sources & References
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- Reference 3BJSbjs.ojp.govVisit source
- Reference 4CDEcde.ucr.cjis.govVisit source
- Reference 5WISQARSwisqars.cdc.govVisit source
- Reference 6DPSdps.texas.govVisit source
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