Columbus gun violence costs taxpayers $500 million every year, study finds

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – Taxpayers contribute to a variety of costs associated with gun violence in Columbus -- including court expenses and incarceration -- totaling to over $500 million annually, a report released Monday found. 

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Columbus experienced a surge in gun violence, which was mirrored in cities across the country. In 2020, Columbus experienced 145 fatal shootings, a 56% increase compared with 2019, and 366 nonfatal shootings, a 132% increase. Since 2021, the city has averaged 152 fatal shootings and 435 nonfatal shootings annually.

The Columbus Office of Violence Prevention commissioned the National Institute of Criminal Justice Reform to find the average amount a fatal and nonfatal shooting in the city costs the government. 

From police responses to government-contracted ambulances, hospital stays and trial costs, the institute found that the average fatal shooting in Columbus with one victim and one suspect costs the government at the city, county and state levels a combined $2.1 million. For a nonfatal shooting, that figure drops to $738,600. 

The report estimates these expenses cost taxpayers about $500.1 million each year. If the city reduced its gun violence rate by 20%, the government could save more than $100 million annually, according to the report. 

The institute broke down the costs associated with shootings in Columbus. The initial stages of a shooting -- including a police response, emergency medical transport and crime scene cleanup -- costs the government an average of $13,298 for a fatal shooting and $5,531 for a nonfatal shooting.

Although nonfatal shootings pose less of a cost overall, medical expenses are higher due to the cost of rehabilitating the victim. The average medical cost sits at $53,874 for a fatal shooting, and at $66,877 for a nonfatal shooting. These costs are frequently paid for by tax dollars, according to the report. 

“With a little more than 40% of gunshot victims either uninsured or on Medicaid, these costs represent a tremendous strain on the Columbus hospital network,” the report said. 

Columbus police had an “arrest rate” of 63% for shootings in 2022, meaning a trial and incarceration frequently follow the crime, according to the report. The process of taking the incident to trial – including the police investigation and court process – costs an average of $83,057 for a fatal shooting and $15,565 for a nonfatal shooting. Taxpayer dollars contribute to multiple of these costs, including the salaries of police, public defenders and prosecutors.

“Due to the consequences of a homicide conviction, these cases go to trial more often than other types of cases,” the report stated. “Sometimes these cases involve multiple suspects with multiple court dates and separate trials. From the time of arrest, court proceedings in fatal or nonfatal shooting cases average about two years.”

One of the largest expenses after a suspect is arrested comes from the cost of incarceration and parole, which totals to an average of $603,894 for a fatal shooting and $256,811 for a nonfatal shooting. These statistics include pretrial incarceration and prison costs assuming the suspect is convicted of attempted murder or homicide. 

Other costs may come when those affected by crime apply for compensation funds through a state program that assists with costs such as burial expenses and counseling. Additionally, a victim or suspect may have been a major financial contributor to their household, and families may apply for social services in their absence. Victim support and social services costs total to an average $448,217 for a fatal shooting and $223,292 for a nonfatal shooting.

Since income and sales tax cannot be collected from an incarcerated individual or the victim of a deadly shooting, lost tax revenue is estimated at $924,591 for a fatal shooting and $170,524 for a nonfatal shooting. 

Shootings may have other economic impacts that were not factored into these costs, including dropping property values in areas that experience high rates of gun violence. The study also did not include loss-of-production costs if the victim or suspect were employed at the time of the incident.