In 2014, there were less homicides in Chicago than in 2013, while the amount of shootings have increased, according to Chicago Police Superintendent Garry McCarthy.

There were 7 percent less killings and 22 less victims of gun violence last year. Shootings increased by 6 percent, as 1,927 were shot, the Chicago Tribune reports. This is the lowest number of killings since 1965.

McCarthy said that shootings were up in certain areas of the city where the police department continues to crack down on illegal gun activity.

“The reason why shootings are up in those neighborhoods is because there's so many guns," McCarthy said Monday, according to the Tribune. "If these guys are throwing rocks at each other we wouldn't have this problem."
On New Year's Eve, about 200 residents marched for peace in downtown Chicago in memory of those slain in violence this past year, the Chicago Sun-Times reports. 
The first shooting victim of the year was Randy James, 39, who was struck in the torso early Saturday on the West side while standing on a sidewalk, the Tribune reports. 
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(Photo: John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune/MCT/Landov)