Worcester Shootings, Robberies Decline Through August 2026

WORCESTER, MA — Gun violence and other serious crimes declined in Worcester during the first eight months of 2026, according to new stats released police on Friday.

Through August, the city recorded five nonfatal shooting incidents involving six victims, 80 robberies, 434 aggravated assaults and 26 confirmed gunfire incidents. Police data showed each figure was lower than during the same period in 2025.

Nonfatal shooting incidents fell from nine to five, while the number of victims declined from 10 to six. Both figures were the lowest reported for the January-to-August period since at least 2021.

Robberies decreased by about 24 percent, from 105 through August 2025 to 80 this year. Aggravated assaults fell by about 9 percent, from 479 to 434.

Police received 225 reports of gunfire through August, down from 262 during the same period last year. Confirmed gunfire incidents declined from 40 to 26.

The city recorded four homicides through August, compared with two during the same period in 2025. Police data classified all four 2026 homicides as involving knives.

The Worcester Police Department has recovered 119 guns this year, including 44 ghost guns, according to the department. Its Crime Gun Intelligence Unit has recovered 65 guns and made 67 arrests.

You can find complete totals from the last five years here.

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