Ryan, Buffalo Police highlight progress combating gun violence

Buffalo gun violence remains well below recent averages as BPD removes hundreds of illegal firearms from city streets

Submitted by the Office of Mayor Sean Ryan

Mayor Sean Ryan and Buffalo Police Commissioner Erika Shields highlighted the continued work of the Buffalo Police Department to combat gun violence, highlighting year-to-date shooting and homicide numbers that remain well below recent averages.

The declining levels of violence reflect the department’s continued focus on preventing shootings, removing illegal firearms, and making Buffalo neighborhoods safer. This work has contributed to substantially lower levels of gun violence year-to-date than historical averages.

“Our police officers are doing important work every day to get illegal guns off our streets and prevent violence before it happens,” Ryan said. “We need to take every shooting seriously, and we know there is more work to do. But the numbers tell an important story: Shooting incidents, shooting victims and homicides are all substantially below the averages Buffalo has seen in recent years. I commend Buffalo Police for the work they have done to get us to this point, and we are going to keep doing the work that makes our neighborhoods safer.”

Buffalo Police have made 282 gun arrests and seized 437 firearms so far in 2026. The 71 shooting incidents in Buffalo this year are 46% fewer than the city’s previous 10-year average on the same date. Buffalo has recorded 14 homicides in 2026, the lowest total in recent memory at this point in the year and 59% below the 10-year average.

Violent crime overall is down 8% from the same period last year and 22% from the 10-year average. The city’s year-to-date crime data shows declines across several other major categories as well: aggravated assault is down 7% from the same period last year, burglary is down 20%, and rape is down 50%.

“Our officers are working every day to identify illegal firearms, make arrests and take dangerous weapons out of circulation,” Shields said. “The results we are seeing show the importance of that work, and we will continue using every tool available to reduce gun violence and keep Buffalo safe.”

Historical gun violence comparison by the numbers

All figures are year-to-date comparisons through Aug. 23 of each year:

71 shooting incidents 

• 40% fewer shooting incidents than the five-year average of 118 (2021-25)
• 46% fewer shooting incidents than the 10-year average of 130 (2016-25) 

86 shooting victims 

• 40% fewer shooting victims than the five-year average of 143 (2021-25)
• 45% fewer shooting victims than the 10-year average of 156 (2016-25) 

14 total homicides 

• 60% fewer homicides than the 5-year average of 35 (2021-25) 
• 59% fewer homicides than the 10-year average of 34 (2016-25)