Shootings spike in summer months ...

The total number of Chicago shooting victims rises significantly during the summer months ­-- June, July and August. Those three months have the most shooting victims per month of the year from 2012 to 2015 combined, the years the Tribune has tracked the data. June, the lowest of the summer months, has a total of 1,137 shooting victims from 2012 to 2015, which is nearly 150 more than the nearest month, May. That’s 15 percent more.

SHOOTING VICTIMS BY MONTH, 2012-2015 COMBINED

June

July

August

1,137

1,173

1,194

J

F

M

A

M

J

J

A

S

O

N

D

... and the long July 4th weekend is often the most violent of the summer

To compare similar timespans the Tribune tallied shooting victims during summer months from Friday to Monday. For the last two years, 2015 and 2014 the Fourth of July weekend was the most violent of the summer months. It was third in 2013, and in 2012 the holiday fell on a Wednesday, but the following day, July 5 saw a spike of 28 victims, the highest single-day tally of the summer.

SHOOTING VICTIMS BY DAY, BETWEEN MAY 1 AND AUG. 31

July 4

Long weekend that includes or is closest to the 4th

2015

Friday, July 3 to Monday, July 6:

70

victims

Saturday, July 4: 12 victims

Most violent long weekend of summer

JUNE

JULY

AUGUST

Friday, July 4 to Monday, July 7:

2014

85

victims

Friday, July 4: 19 victims

Most violent long weekend of summer

JUNE

JULY

AUGUST

2013

Friday, July 5 to Monday, July 8:

51

victims

Thursday, July 4: 18 victims

Third most-violent long weekend of summer

JUNE

JULY

AUGUST

Thursday, July 5: 28 victims

Friday, June 29 to July 2:

2012

44

Wednesday, July 4: 13 victims

victims

Tenth most-violent long weekend of summer

JUNE

JULY

AUGUST

Note: In 2012 July 4 fell on a Wednesday, and is equidistant to two weekends. The other weekend nearest the July 4, was July 6-9 with a total of 35 victims.

The July 4th long weekend is regularly more violent than other summer weekends

Another way to compare the total victims over a long holiday weekend is to look at the tally versus the median total for all long weekends in June and July. For each of the last four years, the Fourth of July holiday weekend surpassed the median amount.

MEDIAN FOR JUNE AND JULY LONG WEEKENDS: 42 SHOOTINGS

June 29 to July 2, 2012

July 5 to 8, 2013

July 4 to 7, 2014

July 3 to 6, 2015

44

51

victims

victims

70

victims

85