LMPD Chief Steve Conrad says violent crime in 2015 comes down to 3 things

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- The number of murders in Louisville is the highest it's been in more than three decades.

Louisville Metro Police say they've worked 81 homicides in 2015, compared to 92 in 1979.

Addressing the situation on Monday night, LMPD Chief Steve Conrad said the increase in Louisville is part of a nationwide trend seen in more than half of big cities across the country.

Chief Conrad said the increase can be attributed to three things -- easy access to guns, drug addiction, and young people resolving problems with guns rather than words.

The victim of Louisville’s 81st homicide of 2015 was Shaun Manookian, a 34-year-old father of two who worked as a cell phone sales representative. Investigators said Manookian was stabbed to death on Saturday night at his home on Millers Lane in Valley Station.

“Sweet, honest, and an awesome dad,” said Nancy Manookian, Shaun’s mother. “I don’t know how a man can take care and raise two children the way he did.”

“He was an awesome person. I mean, I don’t know why this person did this to him,” said Kelli Manookian, Shaun’s sister.

According to Chief Conrad, more than 50 percent of the shootings have happened in seven neighborhoods, so that’s where police will focus their attention.

The chief also hopes the community will come together to help put a stop to the violence.

“We can’t let this year discourage us,” Chief Conrad said. “We have to continue to work together and do even more now to make our community a safer place.”

No arrests have been made in 41 of the 81 homicides of 2015. Anyone with information is asked to call 574-LMPD.