<p>Chicago recorded the fewest homicides last month of any May since 2007, though killings this year overall so far have ticked up compared to last year.</p><p>Last month's 36 homicides in the city are one fewer than May 2025, according to Chicago police.</p><p>The drop in the past two Mays follow a COVID-era peak in homicides. In May 2020, near the start of the pandemic, 86 people were killed in the city. Chicago then averaged 64 killings in each May from 2021 through 2024, according to city data.</p><p>Entering June, Chicago had 167 homicides in 2026, up 6% compared to this time last year, police said.