Drive-by shootings by violent street gangs in Los Angeles: A five-year review from 1989 to 1993

Abstract

Objective: To determine trends in the numbers of drive-by shootings, individuals shot at, innocent bystanders shot at, and homicides by drive-by shootings in the city of Los Angeles from 1989 to 1993. Methods: A retrospective analysis of police records was performed for all gang-related drive-by shootings that occurred in the city of Los Angeles between 1989 and 1993. Results: From 1989 to 1993, there were 6,327 drive-by shootings, 9,053 people shot at, and 590 homicides. There was an increase in drive-by shootings, people shot at, and homicides between 1989 and 1991, followed by a decrease between 1991 and 1993. The case fatality ratio of individuals killed to individuals shot at increased from 1989 to 1993 (p = 0.0011). Forty-seven percent of the people shot at, and 23% of the homicide victims, were innocent bystanders. Conclusion: Drive-by shootings are a major public health problem in Los Angeles. While the rate of drive-by shootings decreased in 1992 and 1993, the proportion of fatal cases increased. To prevent drive-by shootings, the root causes of violent street gang formation must be addressed.