DETROIT, April 14 (UPI) -- Homicides in other major cities are declining, but Detroit has already had 106 people killed this year, 22 percent more than at this time last year.
Detroit Police Chief Ella Bully-Cummings said high unemployment, illiteracy rates and the prevalence of guns are factors. Detroit also lost 1,000 officers in last four-and-a-half years, she said.
Last year, Detroit had 374 homicides, compared with 384 in 2004. While Detroit's homicide rate ranks among the highest in cities across the nation, it's still far lower than it was in 1974, when 714 homicides were recorded and Detroit acquired the nickname Murder City, the Detroit Free Press reported.
Homicide detectives estimate 90 percent of the homicides and non-fatal shootings involved intended targets. Proof, a rapper, was shot at a Detroit nightclub this week.
Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy said the increase is not easy to explain.
"It's clear that there are people that know who is committing violent crimes in this community," said Worthy. "It would be a heck of a lot easier if they would come forward and tell the police what they know."
