A recent report by the National Institute of Justice showing the top 25 U.S. cities that had the highest increases in murder rates in 2015 has ranked Lubbock as number 14.
Out of the two other Texas cities on the list, Lubbock happened to rank the highest in the state, with Houston listed right behind at 15, and Irving ranked at 18.
Gracie Talamantez shares with EverythingLubbock that it’s “heartbreaking” to know that her loved ones are apart of the 2015 murder rate statistic.
Her cousin, Jennifer Cruz and Cruz’s boyfriend, Albert Martinez, were found dead in their home on April 18, 2015, murdered by Cruz’s ex boyfriend, David Carillo. Carillo remains behind bars at a $1 million bond.
“I’m completely in shock just to know that. I’m a bit scared for me and my kids because who knows what could happen, you anything can happen at anytime,” said Talamantez.
While, Baltimore had the greatest increase of homicides for its city, Chicago had the most homicides with 488 in 2015, surpassing New York City’s which had 352.
To read the full New York Times article, click here.