The state Health and Senior Services Department reports homicides rose 28% from 2000 to 2005 - the most recent year in the study.
More than half of homicides in 2005 were associated with gang activity, like drug trafficking and drive-by shootings.
About one third of homicide victims were younger than 24. Another third of the victims were 25 to 34 years old.
Men were almost five times more likely than women to die of homicide.
