Nearly half (48 percent) of the estimated number of homicide victims in 2002 were killed by multiple offenders. Between 1980 and 2002, the estimated proportion of murders involving a juvenile offender acting alone gradually declined, from 65 percent in the 1980s, to 59 percent in the 1990s, to 55 percent in the years 2000 to 2002. Between 1994 and 2002, murders by juveniles acting alone fell 68 percent, and murders involving multiple juvenile offenders fell 71 percent.

These statistics are from the "Juvenile Offenders" section of OJJDP's Statistical Briefing Book. Read this issue's special feature on the Six Site Comprehensive Anti-Gang Initiative to learn more about how communities are working together to combat gang violence.