It's official, the year 2021 saw an outstanding 27 homicides in the Amarillo area. This is the highest number of murders the city has seen since 1994.

To put this official tally into perspective, we turned to the Amarillo Police Department's annual reports. By examining each report, we were able to compile the data you'll see below.

  • The years 2000 to 2020 saw an average of 11.6 homicides each year in the Amarillo area.
Homicides in 2000sHomicides in 2010sHomicides in 2020s
2000:112010: 102020: 15
2001: 202011: 102021: 27
2002: 72012: 10
2003: 172013: 10
2004: 112014: 7
2005: 102015: 7
2006: 52016: 11
2007: 192017: 16
2008: 132018: 12
2009: 102019: 16

What nearly each of these homicides have in common is something that officials describe as unusual: a whopping 26 of the 27 murders committed in Amarillo show the murder weapon to be a gun.

This near-uniform display of gun violence has not been seen before, as several spokespeople for Amarillo Police Department have told news outlets.

Why Did The Murder Rate in Amarillo Increase?

This stark increase seen this year on a local level seems to follow a trend seen on the national level. Crime rates rose exponentially throughout the year 2020. Amid the myriad of contributing factors, the pandemic was the driving force for the rise in crime seen across the nation.

The anxieties brought about by lockdown and restrictions, along with the change in how law enforcement are required to respond to incidents are two major influences that come into play

Beyond the News: A Look at Amarillo's Murders in 2021

While media coverage of homicides make for compelling clicks, they are usually forgotten by the public and press alike. In light of the astonishing number of 27 murders in 2021, we've taken the effort to compile the available information on the year's deadliest crimes. They are presented in the order in which they occurred.

Amarillo Murders in 2021

With an official tally of 27 murders, the year 2021 saw the highest number of homicides in Amarillo since 1994.

Below is a closer look at the year's criminal acts that resulted in life lost.

**Note from the Editor: The following is not an exhaustive list. We have compiled what you see below from news reports, official police statements, along with where the case stands in the court system. If you see any errors in reporting or fact, please email the editor directly at sarah.clark@townsquaremedia.com along with any supporting documents.

We wish to stress that all individuals charged are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

***Not pictured: Edward Matthew Gamez

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