Marion Reports Three Homicides In 2021

Law enforcement in Marion County have reported three homicides in as many months thus far into 2021, matching the total for the entire year of 2020.

Mitch Hooper at the Marion Star reports that despite this apparent sudden spate in homicides in a town where such crimes are relatively rare, officials do not fear these incidents reflect a growth in the community’s crime rate.

Marion Police Chief Jay McDonald said the incidents of 2021 were merely isolated occurrences which happened to transpire in a short amount of time, with no connection to any gang or drug activity. Marion County Sheriff Matt Bayles said these homicides lack the association with further crimes involving individuals connected to either the suspect or the victim which tends to occur in periods of increased violence.