Homicides drop 57% in Louisville’s Russell neighborhood as youth homicides remain high

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — In Louisville’s Russell neighborhood, gun violence is down, and families are noticing.

As of mid-July, the city has seen a 33% drop in homicides compared to this time last year. In the Russell neighborhood, that decline is even more dramatic: 57.14% fewer people have died from gun violence.

Angelica Nash, is raising her family in the neighborhood, and hopes the downward trend continues.

"I pray to God it stays that way," Nash said.

Nash credits the progress to grassroots efforts.

At a anti-violence coalition meeting Wednesday, local nonprofits gathered to share food and resources with the community, supporting both minds and bodies.

But not everyone agrees on what’s making the biggest difference.

"Nonprofits don’t help none of that. It’s the police in our neighborhood," said Brodrick Brooks, another Russell resident.

Still, most neighbors share one belief: change starts at home.

"It starts at home," said Nash. "It’s on you as a parent to guide your child," added Brooks.

While Louisville's overall homicide rate is improving — dropping from 93 homicides this time last year to 62 so far this year — the trend hasn’t extended to youth victims.

So far in 2025, 10 juveniles have died by homicide. That’s just one fewer than the 11 reported at the same time in 2024.

"Ten is too many," said Louisville Metro Police Chief Paul Humphrey during a press conference Wednesday.

Humphrey said for some children, jail might even be safer than the streets.

"It might be the safest place for them," he said, "because they might be the next victim of that kind of violent crime."

The Russell neighborhood is far untouched by gun violence. Six people have lost their lives to gun violence in the neighborhood so far this year.

"We have to figure out a way to make sure that our youth — our seeds — don’t have to live through the trauma we experienced," said Dr. Camara Douglas, a nonprofit administrator.

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