It’s called the “Tragic City” for a reason. [Magic City murder 2018: Birmingham’s chilling homicide numbers, Birmingham News, 1-1-19]:

Birmingham ended 2018 with 107 homicides, down from 111 in 2017.

Still, it was one of the deadliest years in recent Magic City history. Had Birmingham suffered seven more murders before midnight, the city’s homicide total would have reached a 22-year high.

Numbers tell a chilling tale of Birmingham’s struggle with violent crime in 2018.

The city’s west side is the community most plagued by homicide. Nearly 8 percent of the city’s violent deaths were the result of people using deadly force to protect themselves or others in what were ruled justifiable homicides. Retaliation for other acts of violence frequently fueled Birmingham homicides.

Most of the homicide victims were killed inside homes. Many had prior criminal records. The vast majority were African-American males.

And, as a new year begins, more than half of Birmingham’s 2018 homicides remain unsolved.

Here is a look at Birmingham’s 2018 homicide numbers:

8 homicides ruled justifiable

Of the 107 homicides in Birmingham, eight were ruled justifiable. The Birmingham Police Department does not count homicides ruled justifiable in its year-end tally because they only have to include criminal homicides in what they turn into the FBI each year.

75 dead black males