90

Mayor Tom Barrett can no longer say that Milwaukee's homicide rate is lower than last year.

Murder #90 shot past last year's homicide figure for today.

From the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:

Milwaukee's homicide number surpassed the year-to-date figure for last year when a man was fatally shot near a northwest side bar last night.

The 29-year-old victim was shot multiple times about 12:30 a.m. near N. 76th St. and W. Hampton Ave. He died at the scene, according to police.

The death marked the city's 90th homicide for 2007, compared to 89 at this time last year.

I'm uncomfortable referring to someone's death as a statistic.

It marginalizes the loss.

When citing the numbers, it shouldn't be forgotten that 90 INDIVIDUALS have been murdered in Milwaukee so far this year.