Baltimore, Maryland – The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland reported a continued decline in violent crime across the state in 2025, attributing the trend to increased cooperation among federal, state, and local agencies.
According to data released by the office, homicides statewide have dropped by 50 percent since 2021. Baltimore City recorded 133 murders in 2025, marking its lowest total since 1977. This represents a 31 percent decrease from the previous year and a 61 percent reduction compared to four years ago. It is also only the fifth time since 1970 that Baltimore has seen fewer than 200 murders in a year, and the first time under-200 figures have been achieved consecutively since 1978. Non-fatal shootings declined as well—by 28 percent statewide and by 25 percent within Baltimore City in 2025. In Prince George’s County, homicides decreased by 41 percent as of December 31.
Officials highlighted that these improvements are closely linked to collaborative strategies between law enforcement agencies at all levels. The U.S. Attorney’s Office noted its use of state-funded Special Assistant U.S. Attorneys (SAUSAs), who work alongside federal prosecutors on violent crime cases. These SAUSAs are provided through partnerships with several offices: the Office of the Maryland State Prosecutor, Office of the State’s Attorney for Prince George’s County, and Office of the State’s Attorney for Baltimore City.
In total, nine SAUSAs were working full-time out of Baltimore or Greenbelt offices during 2025 after six new appointments that year.
“The recent decline in violent crime across Maryland reflects what is possible when we work together with focus and purpose,” said U.S. Attorney Kelly O. Hayes. “By strategically leveraging Special Assistant U.S. Attorneys — and strengthening our partnerships with Federal, State, and local law enforcement — we are multiplying our impact and ensuring that the most serious offenders are held accountable. Public safety remains our top priority, and we will continue to use every tool available to keep Maryland’s communities safe.”
Within Baltimore City specifically, SAUSAs—funded through grants from the Governor’s Office of Crime Prevention and Policy—focus on prosecuting violations of federal firearm laws while assisting with investigations into armed robbery, carjacking, homicide, and non-fatal shootings alongside city police and federal agents from ATF.
The SAUSAs also support investigations involving firearms offenses, narcotics trafficking, robberies, and carjackings connected to Prince George’s County.
The office stated that this coordinated approach has led to successful prosecutions targeting firearms trafficking rings; drug distribution networks; violent carjackings; bank robberies; gang-related murders—including cases involving MS-13—and other serious crimes.
These efforts align with Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), an initiative designed by the Department of Justice to unite law enforcement agencies at all levels with community members in order to reduce gun violence and make neighborhoods safer nationwide.
Additionally, authorities pointed out their involvement with the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF), created under Executive Order 14159 (“Protecting the American People Against Invasion”). The HSTF aims to dismantle criminal cartels operating domestically or internationally—including gangs involved in human smuggling or drug trafficking—through joint operations among various government agencies.
The task force has prosecuted foreign nationals for murder or stabbing incidents as well as individuals selling illicit fentanyl within Maryland.
For more information about ongoing initiatives or resources offered by the U.S. Attorney's Office for Maryland visit justice.gov/usao-md or justice.gov/usao-md/community-outreach.
