local
US on track to have historically low number of homicides in 2026, report says
Summary by The San Antonio Editorial Desk · Based on reporting by Safiyah Riddle, Associated Press , KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate)
· July 23, 2026
· 4 min read
Data collected from 30 American cities showed an 18% decrease in the homicide rate from 2025 compared to the same period in 2026, translating to about 215 fewer homicides this year, according to a new report from the independent Council on Criminal Justice. Should the trend continue, it would pus...
Story provenance No corrections
Summary created by The San Antonio Editorial Desk — automated, rule-governed Original reporting Safiyah Riddle, Associated Press, KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) Original story Read at the source Source published Jul 23, 2026 Indexed here Jul 23, 2026 AI assistance Automated summary drawn from the source’s own published text Prepublication human review No — editorial rules, flagged-item review, and published samples
Every story comes with a passport. How we work · Corrections log
Key takeaway The report, released Thursday, tracked 13 crimes and recorded drops in nine of those categories, including carjackings, residential burglary and aggravated assaults.
Why this matters in The San Antonio
In San Antonio, the potential for a historically low number of homicides in 2026 could have significant implications for community safety and policing strategies. If the trend holds, it may validate the city's existing public safety measures and encourage further investment in violence reduction initiatives. The fact that crime rates are falling across cities with different political leadership and policing strategies suggests that San Antonio's own approach, which may involve a combination of community engagement, targeted enforcement, and social services, could be contributing to the decline. As the city continues to grapple with issues like domestic violence and drug offenses, which saw small increases according to the report, a sustained decrease in homicides could provide a foundation for addressing these more complex challenges. San Antonio residents and leaders will be watching closely to see if the city's own crime data aligns with the national trend, and what adjustments might be needed to build on this positive momentum.
About this story
Original reporting by KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) . The San Antonio surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: July 23, 2026 ·
Source: KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) ·
Reading time: 4 min
Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Data collected from 30 American cities showed an 18% decrease in the homicide rate from 2025 compared to the same period in 2026, translating to about 215 fewer homicides this year, according to a new report from the independent Council on Criminal Justice. Should the trend continue, it would pus...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 23, 2026 by KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) and curated for The San Antonio readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Safiyah Riddle, Associated Press at KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate). To learn more about how The San Antonio selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The San Antonio, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
← Back to all news
More local →
Today’s briefing
Subscribe to newsletter