Violent Crime

WASHINGTON - Violent crimes unexpectedly jumped 18 percent last year, the first rise in nearly 20 years, and property crimes rose for first time in a decade. But academic experts said the new government data fall short of signaling a reversal of the long decline in crime. The U.S. Bureau of Justice Statistics reported Wednesday that the increase in the number of violent crimes was the result of an upward swing in simple assaults, which rose 22 percent, from 4 million in 2010 to 5 million last year.

Police said Monday that robbery appeared to have been the motive in a double shooting in the city's Northern Liberties section that left a woman, 65, dead and a second person in critical condition. The victims' names were not released pending family notification, but Officer Tanya Little said the 65-year-old woman was "the mother of the 41-year-old transsexual surviving victim. " The shooter was still at large. On Sunday night in the 700 block of North Third Street, the older woman was shot in the head and the second victim, whom police initially described as a man, was shot in the face.

A woman was shot and killed and a man was critically wounded Sunday night in what police described as an extremely violent encounter in a three-story house on the 700 block of North Third Street in the trendy Northern Liberties neighborhood. The 65-year-old woman, who was not identified by police, was pronounced dead at the scene shortly after 9 p.m. She was shot once in the head inside the house, police said. Blood could be seen splattered throughout the foyer and out onto the front steps.

By Vicki Schieber Many have come forward with concerns about the execution of Terrance Williams, which is to take place Oct. 3 unless his sentence is commuted. One objection in particular should be given great weight: that of Mamie Norwood, the widow of the man Williams killed in 1984. I know what it means to lose someone you love to violence. In 1998, my beautiful daughter, Shannon, was murdered in Philadelphia. Shannon was a brilliant young woman and a student at the Wharton School.

Some of the region's top law enforcement figures appeared Thursday at a hearing to support a Pennsylvania bill that would increase penalties for illegal possession of a firearm. The hearing in Montgomeryville before the state Senate Judiciary Committee showcased what officials said was an urgent need "to keep firearms out of the hands of violent criminals. " "It's a huge issue," Philadelphia Police Commissioner Charles H. Ramsey testified. "I can't tell you how much I appreciate this.

In response to a rash of violent incidents in the city's parks and recreation centers - several shootings, a rape and two arsons - City Council held a rare summer hearing Thursday to explore why supposed sanctuaries for children and families have become so dangerous. "Are these unusual circumstances or a trend or something in between?" asked Councilwoman Cindy Bass, chair of the Committee on Parks and Recreation. Michael Resnick, the city's public safety director, said the crimes were "a microcosm" of the uptick in violence seen across the city.

For months, the 10-year-old had been harassing the 51-year-old immigrant from Vietnam, who was living alone in a small room in Juniata Park. According to her landlords, the boy would call her names, making fun of her for being "dumb and fat. " On Monday, police said, the boy took his torment to a new level when he broke into the woman's home and beat her with sticks, stones, and a jump rope. The boy, whose name was withheld by police because he is a minor, had two accomplices, believed to be between 7 and 9. "To have such a young offender committing such a violent crime - it's almost a shock to my system," Police Capt.

For months, the 10-year-old had been harassing the 51-year-old immigrant from Vietnam, who was living alone in a small room in Juniata Park. According to her landlords, the boy would call her names, making fun of her for being "dumb and fat. " On Monday, police said, the boy took his torment to a new level when he broke into the woman's home and beat her with sticks, stones, and a jump rope. The boy, whose name was withheld by police because he is a minor, had two accomplices, believed to be between 7 and 9. "To have such a young offender committing such a violent crime - it's almost a shock to my system," Police Capt.