Michigan's rate of increase in homicides among 15-34 year olds has been consistently higher than the national rate. Homicide in the African American community impacts disproportionately on the young and those in the urban areas. Researchers have found that homicide among young African Americans accounts for two-thirds of the years of potential life lost before age 65 in the state. Homicides today are the leading cause of death among children in Detroit. The tripling of the homicide rate in Detroit among 15-18 year olds is attributable almost exclusively to firearm deaths.
Most homicides occur in the homes or on the streets.
However, homicides in the workplace are also a significant problem in Michigan. In 1992, there were 35 work-related homicides in the state, of which 23 were firearm deaths. In 1994, Michigan's 39 workplace homicides comprised more than a third of all workplace murders in the Six Great Lake States. Firearms were the weapons of choice. There were 969 suicides in Michigan in 1995.