Over the last couple of weeks Mobile has endured an unusual slew of violent gun incidents and several homicides in Mobile.

According to Mobile’s police chief, the violence has been due to domestic disputes being handled with weapons.

From Dec. 6 to Dec. 17, there were six homicides in Mobile and several non-fatal shootings.

Mobile Police Chief William Jackson provided a statement to AL.com stating he was frustrated with the violence over the last few weeks.

“Like most Mobilians, I’m frustrated with the amount of violent crimes we’ve experienced in our city over the last couple of weeks,” Jackson said.

“In most of the cases, the victims and subjects are known to one another. While this doesn’t make the situation any better, I can tell you the majority of these are not random acts of violence happening in our neighborhoods and streets.

“Either way, the gun violence has got to stop. We’re losing far too many lives in our city because disagreements aren’t being settled peacefully. As I’ve said before, if you’re caught committing a crime you will be arrested and charged, accordingly. With the holidays upon us, I ask the residents of Mobile to talk to one another and cherish the lives around you.”

Mobile has 38 homicides so far in 2024 surpassing 2023’s total of 33. Of those 38 homicides, 33 have been gun-related.

But Jackson previously told Fox10 News that most of the homicides this year have also been domestic incidents between people who know each other.

As the year draws to an end, law enforcement officials are also wary of potential violence during Mobile’s New Year‘s celebrations.

In 2022 and 2023, there were consecutive deadly shootings that occurred on New Year‘s Eve leaving two people dead as a result.

Ahead of the festivities in a few weeks Mobile’s Executive Director of Public Safety Rob Lasky said that there will be an increased presence of officers during the holiday season and on New Year‘s Eve.

“The city is looking to increase its presence and patrols and things of that nature. We’ll have a bit more officers,” Lasky said.

“We’ve outlined that from now until after Christmas in looking at traffic (enforcement) and those types of violations from drunk driving to everything else including violent crime. We’ll have an increased presence (at New Year’s Eve) and will use overtime money to accomplish that.”

The John Hopkins Center For Gun Violence Solutions cites several studies that indicate socioeconomic factors are the root cause of gun violence specifically in communities of color.

These factors include income inequality, poverty, underfunded public housing, under-resourced public services, underperforming schools, lack of opportunity, and easy access to firearms by high-risk people.

Also, according to one study individuals exposed to gun violence at young ages are likely to become violent themselves or get involved in gun-related crimes.