A historical geographical study of lethal violence in San Antonio

Objective. San Antonio, Texas, offers an opportunity to examine Mexican Ame rican homicide rates in a geographical and historical context. Methods. Hom icide mortality data on all deaths in Bexar County (San Antonio), Texas, du ring the years 1935-84 were coded for demographic characteristics and cause s of death, yielding approximately 4,500 homicide victims. Results. Mexican American male homicide rates were consistently intermediate between those of Angle and black males, and homicide in the Hispanic population was the d riving component in San Antonio's male homicide rate being 1.5 to 3 times h igher than the national rate. In all ethnic groups, firearms accounted for the most homicide deaths, with significant increases occurring after 1960. Conclusions. The spatial analysis indicates high and stable concentrations of homicide in poorer Hispanic and black areas of the city over time.