NCDPI releases violence profiles showing deaths and crime incidents for all Cape Fear counties

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — The North Carolina Department of Public Safety’s Office of Violence Prevention released its county violence profiles Monday for all 100 North Carolina counties.

The factsheets are designed to help communities understand and prevent violence by providing date from both a public health and criminal justice perspective.  

In southeastern North Carolina, New Hanover is the only county with more than 750 people per square mile. The other four counties in the WWAY immediate coverage area — Pender, Bladen, Brunswick and Columbus counties — have less than 250 people per square mile.

The state analyzed violent death numbers for 2022 and trends from the past decade.

• New Hanover County recorded 67 violent deaths in 2022. Over the past 10 years, 77% of homicides and 51% of suicides involved a firearm.
• Brunswick County had 49 violent deaths, with 56% of homicides and 60% of suicides involving firearms.
• Columbus County reported 16 violent deaths, with firearms used in 80% of homicides and 83% of suicides.
• Pender County had 10 violent deaths, with 58% of homicides and 64% of suicides involving a firearm.
• Bladen County had 8 violent deaths, with firearms used in 83% of homicides and 63% of suicides.

When examining the cause of homicides, arguments or conflicts were the leading factor:

• Brunswick County: 47%
• Pender County: 43%
• New Hanover County: 40%
• Bladen and Columbus counties: 39%

As for violent injuries from firearms, in our area, New Hanover County took the top spot in 2024 with 37 residents visiting the emergency department. Columbus County followed with 19, Pender with 18, Brunswick with 17, and Bladen with 12.