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Fewest Shooting Victims in New Jersey for Second Consecutive Year; Statewide gun violence injuries drop by 16%, auto thefts decline 11%.
NEW JERSEY - New Jersey recorded the fewest shooting victims in 2024 for the second year in a row since tracking began in 2009, according to data released by Governor Phil Murphy, Lt. Governor Tahesha Way, Attorney General Matt Platkin, First Assistant Attorney General Lyndsay Ruotolo, and New Jersey State Police (NJSP) Superintendent Colonel Patrick J. Callahan. Officials also reported an 11 percent reduction in auto thefts statewide over the same period.
“Today’s announcement marks a major milestone in our Administration’s commitment to reduce gun violence and theft,” said Governor Murphy. “The meticulous coordination of Attorney General Platkin, Colonel Callahan, our legislative partners, and our local law enforcement officers has played a tremendous role in achieving historically low shootings for a second consecutive year. Together, we are determined to continue combatting violence and crime as we build a safer, stronger New Jersey for all."
In 2024, 778 individuals suffered gunshot injuries—a 16 percent decrease from 2023, which itself marked the first time that fewer than 1,000 people were recorded as gun violence victims since 2009. Of those victims, 152 died from their injuries in 2024, representing a 20 percent decline compared to the prior year. Violent crimes, including shootings, are frequently linked to auto thefts. Last year, stolen motor vehicles decreased by 11 percent, dropping from 16,694 reported thefts in 2023 to 14,755 thefts in 2024, based on data from the NJSP’s Regional Operations Intelligence Center.
Authorities attribute these gains in part to the NJSP’s use of advanced technology to optimize decision-making and resource deployment. Efforts include the Attorney General’s Gun Violence Reduction Task Force (GVRTF)—a statewide intelligence-sharing program that unites law enforcement and prosecutors across all 21 counties to target the main drivers of violence. This initiative, together with community engagement and additional partnerships, is credited with helping keep 2024 shooting victims below 800 for the first time since recordkeeping began.
The Murphy Administration has also toughened firearm regulations by enacting laws against ghost guns and large-capacity magazines. Under the state’s strict liability statute, gun traffickers can face criminal penalties when their weapons are used in violent acts. Additionally, Attorney General Platkin recently announced a lawsuit against Glock Inc. and Glock Ges.m.b.H., alleging multiple violations of New Jersey’s firearms industry public safety laws concerning the manufacture and sale of their pistols, which the complaint states can be converted to illegal machine guns using a “Glock switch.”
On the auto theft front, the NJSP-led Auto Theft Task Force (ATTF) continues to disrupt theft rings and recover stolen vehicles, collectively worth millions of dollars. The task force, which includes personnel from various municipal, county, and state agencies, collaborates to make arrests, pursue long-term investigations, and prosecute offenders. New legislation passed in July 2023, with support from the Governor, Attorney General’s Office, and Legislature, increases penalties for serial car thieves and traffickers—a measure that law enforcement has been actively employing statewide.
Meanwhile, the state’s innovative strategies for public safety have garnered national attention. The Alternative Responses to Reduce Instances of Violence and Escalation (ARRIVE) Together program has expanded to all 21 counties since its inception in December 2021, providing mental health support alongside law enforcement and handling approximately 6,000 cases. The Community-Based Violence Intervention (CBVI) program, overseen by the Division of Violence Intervention and Victim Assistance (VIVA), works with trusted local organizations to address violence through education, community events, and direct outreach. Over the first three quarters of 2024, these CBVI initiatives engaged more than 16,000 residents.
Since the start of the Murphy Administration, New Jersey has directed over $55 million toward CBVI programs and more than $32 million to ARRIVE. Officials note these consistent investments, coupled with enhanced enforcement and legislative measures, underscore the state’s commitment to reducing crime and ensuring safer communities across New Jersey.
