Identifying the Structural Correlates of African American Killings: What Can We Learn from Data Disaggregation

Abstract

The present study extends the understanding of the structural determinants of African American killings by analyzing the impact of key socioeconomic and demographic factors on disaggregated Black homicide rates in St. Louis neighborhoods. The findings reveal that (a) there is significant variation within Black homicides in terms of motive, victim and offender characteristics, victim-offender relationship, and type of death; (b) concentrated disadvantage is significantly associated with some but not all types of Black killings; and (c) residential instability is not significantly related to most Black killings but has a small negative effect on gang homicide. The findings reinforce the necessity of disaggregating homicide rates to understand the race-violence relationship. The theoretical, methodological, and policy implications of the findings are discussed.

Keywords: homicide, race, neighborhood disadvantage, social disorganization