Homicides up, robberies down: Durham police to share 2026 crime stats with city leaders

Durham city leaders will get a first quarter crime update from the Durham Police Department on Thursday.

The meeting will be held in Durham City Hall at 1 p.m. WRAL News will share updates.

So far in 2026, there have been 13 homicides in Durham, up from 9 at the same time last year. That's about a 44% increase.

However, there have been fewer robberies in Durham. There have been 76 robberies so far this year, which is a more than 26% drop.

Overall violent crime is up slightly, with 365 reports this year, a 4.6% increase from this time last year.

In May, WRAL News covered five shootings in Durham in one weekend, including a woman killed at an apartment complex.

Earlier this year, Durham Mayor Leonardo Williams called directly for more action to end gun violence, particurally in children, during a city council meeting. In February, Williams said as many as five people were shot and killed in last several days, several under the age of 18. 

The mayor at that time addressed the council and the community, saying he is "sick" of commentators while calling for real action and solutions.

"It's not complicated. Where are the activists? ... Go talk to parents [and] the community members who are living in this crap every single day ... go to where it's happening," Williams said. "I am tired of kids dying when they don't have to. If you're not coming to me with solutions, I don't have anything to say to you."