August marks 5th straight month of decline in gun violence year over year

Edmonton Police Service > Newsroom > Media Releases > August marks 5th straight month of decline in gun violence year over year

August marks 5th straight month of decline in gun violence year over year

Compared to August 2023, shootings are down by 72%. Year to date, as of Aug. 31, 2024, shootings are down 44% and have continued to decline when compared to the same timeframe in 2023.

Shootings by month in 2024 and 2023

Of the six reported shootings in August 2024, four are believed to be targeted, and two resulted in injuries. In five of the six shootings, there was potential for innocent bystanders to be harmed. No deaths resulted from any shooting occurrences in August.

"We are in the fifth straight month of declining shooting numbers. This is particularly encouraging when compared to last year, as over the summer months numbers typically rise," says Staff Sergeant Eric Stewart, with the EPS Guns and Gangs Section.

"We are hopeful the expansion of our Firearms Investigation Units and Gang Suppression Teams will help continue to reduce gun violence in the upcoming months."

Police seized 67 firearms in August, and 538 overall in 2024. This time last year, 679 firearms were seized in the same time period.