by James Coleman The Tri-State Defender

Fielding questions as family members and supporters of victims of violence gathered for the annual Season of Remembrance event, Shelby County District Attorney Steve Mulroy outlined law enforcement efforts to address soaring violent crime rates in Memphis, including the city’s record-setting homicide rate.

The AG’s comments came during an interview at the University of Memphis on Monday (Nov. 27). The Season of Remembrance, which predates Mulroy’s election as DA, was his second.

“We have an unacceptably high homicide rate, and we all need to come together as a community to do what we can about it. And unless we all come together and work together, we’re not going to be able to stop this scourge of violence,” Mulroy told reporters.

On Nov. 20, it was announced that Memphis suffered its 352nd homicide of the year, a new record.

With 32 days left in 2023, the grim statistic has surpassed the previous high of 346, set in 2021. Since the announcement, the number has climbed to 359.

The surging rate is often blamed on a revolving door judicial system that turns al-