BOSTON, MA — Boston’s violent crime problem isn’t just getting worse — it’s reaching places that were once considered off-limits.

According to newly released data from the Boston Regional Intelligence Center (BRIC), fatal shootings have doubled citywide compared to the same time last year. Between January 1 and June 29, 2025, the city recorded 12 fatal shootings, up from just 6 in 2024 — a 100% increase. Total shooting victims are up as well, jumping from 46 to 58, a 26% spike.

But it's not just the numbers — it's where the violence is happening that should concern everyone.

Charlestown (A-15) and Allston–Brighton (D-14) — two districts that typically report zero homicides per year — each logged 2 homicides so far in 2025. That’s ten times higher than their five-year average of just 0.2. These are not areas typically known for gun violence. That’s changing.

In Roxbury (B-2), long one of Boston’s most violent districts, things are escalating fast. The neighborhood went from 1 homicide in 2024 to 6 this year — a 6× year-over-year increase, and double the 5-year average for the district. These aren’t fluctuations. They’re signs of a system under pressure.

Even as summer — historically the city’s most violent season — ramps up, City Hall has remained silent.

While some may argue the numbers are still low compared to national averages, that misses the point. These aren't just statistics — they're ruptures in the city’s sense of safety.

Homicides in quiet neighborhoods. A sixfold spike in one of Boston’s most troubled districts. And silence from leadership.

The violence isn’t just rising — it’s moving.

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BRIC Data: