Shootings in New York state are down 9% so far in 2025 compared to the same period last year, Gov. Kathy Hochul announced Tuesday, the lowest level of gun violence the state has seen since the state began tracking this data nearly 20 years ago.

New statistics released by the state Division of Criminal Justice Services showed a 15% decline in shooting victims and a 9% drop in shooting incidents with injury between Jan. 1 and April 30. These numbers come from 28 police departments outside New York City participating in the state’s Gun Involved Violence Elimination (GIVE) initiative, a state-funded initiative focusing on 20 jurisdictions spread across 17 counties in New York that account for 80% of the gun violence outside of New York City. It includes symposiums and other educational programs, as well as funding for things like overtime so officers can build community bridges outside their normal duties.

These departments reported 156 shooting victims so far this year, down from 183 during the same period in 2024, and 139 shooting incidents with injury, down from 153 in 2024.

The data shows, however, a rise in homicides with four more people killed — 35 total — in the GIVE areas compared to this time last year.

In the city of Albany, shooting incidents with injury have been reduced by 50% so far in 2025 compared to last year, with the number of shooting victims down nearly 50%. Seven shooting incidents with injury were reported between January and April, compared to 14 in 2024.

“Keeping New Yorkers safe is my top priority. Since taking office, my administration has been laser focused on eliminating gun violence and reducing the number of gun-related injuries and fatalities in Albany and across the State,” Hochul said in a statement. “Our efforts are working, and I am committed to continuing our record level support for gun violence prevention initiatives in our most impacted communities to ensure all New Yorkers are safe.”

According to the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention, the murder rate in New York declined by 8% from 2023 to 2024. Mortality data shows that New York has the second lowest homicide rate of the top 15 most populous states and the lowest homicide rate of the top 10 states.

“We know that one shooting is one too many and we will never stop making it clear: if you commit a violent crime we will find you, arrest you, and do everything in our power to hold you accountable,” Albany Mayor Kathy Sheehan said in a statement.