Unsolved homicide rates in the U.S. have skyrocketed and Minneapolis is moving at a slower pace than the national average

MINNEAPOLIS- In collaboration with CBS News, WCCO investigates crimes We often go without punishment in our country. Only half of the murders in the United States will be resolved. According to FBI data, the clearance rate for murderers nationwide is the lowest ever.

In the mid-1960s, more than 90% of murders were resolved and generally arrested.

By 1990, the percentage was in the 1960s It has dropped to. .. After that, by 2020, the number of murderers surged, and the national clearance rate dropped to about 50% for the first time.

CBS News analysis also found differences Depending on the race. National murder clearance rates for white victims continue to improve. Although the rate of resolving the murders of black and hispanic victims is much lower.

So I wanted to know what was happening locally. Our investigation found that the clearance rate in Minneapolis was below the historical lows of recent years, and police reaffirmed their numbers, as reported by Jennifer Meyer of WCCO. ..

The day after Terrell Mayes, Jr. celebrated Christmas with his family, a three-year-old child and his brother heard a gunshot. A lost bullet struck Terrell as Terrell ran up the stairs for safety in a house in Northern Minneapolis. Year: 2011.

"He was only three years old and couldn't live his life," Terrell's mother, Masha Maze, said in 2011.

Over 10 years During, WCCO has found her according to the push of her sad mother, the killer of her son. Each year, Maze stayed on the course and investigators took the lead and offered a fair amount of reward.

"We need a solid witness who really knows something about this case," Minneapolis Police Lieutenant Richard Zimmerman said in 2015. He is a life. "

A few years after losing Terrell, she remembers her youngest.

"Are you still wondering who could do this?" Meyer asked.

"Always" Maze replied.

Terrell's killer has never been caught. Knowing that a responsible shooter may be free to live is the weight of Maze.

"In my eyes, people are suspects to me," Maze told Mayar.

"What is it like to live that way?" Meyer asked.

"It's difficult, it's bad, it's dysfunctional," Maze said.

Maze feels that the police may be doing more.

"Do they feel like they're doing enough? No. Do you think they should still knock on the door? Yes. Someone still knows what happened that night. Maze said.

The clearance rate of the murderers in Minneapolis has plummeted. The department sends data to the FBI every year. It records the number of murderers the department cleared that year. Minneapolis fell below that at a record low of about 50% in 2018 and bottomed out at 38% in 2020.

According to Minneapolis police, investigation of the murder case Is complex and the clearance rate is affected by many factors. MPD states that after reviewing the internal data, after viewing this data, it is reviewing the internal data to confirm its accuracy.

WCCO spoke with Zimmerman earlier this year. The person responsible for the murder said an unresolved case kept him up late.

"They are all putting some pressure on you because there are mothers, brothers, sisters, sons and daughters who have lost their loved ones," Zimmerman said.

Zimmerman said there are no restrictions on murderers. And the hints are very important.

"I have never encountered an unsolvable case. It doesn't matter if someone who knows something about it now wants to help," Zimmerman said.

According to Zimmerman, the number of murder investigators remains at 12, despite the large number of police officers leaving the department. As the number of murders increased, MPD sought help from state and federal partners. FBI, ATF and BCA agents are built into the murder unit.

"It was very helpful to the incident and the victim's family," Zimmerman said.

According to MPD records, the clearance rate increased in 2021. The number of shares with FBI has not been announced yet, and the number of cleared cases will increase by 20%. Internal partnerships, community partners, technologies and tips all play a role.

"We really care about the victims. We really care about the survivors of these victims and give them a sense of justice," Zimmerman said.

However, Masha Maze believes that diminished confidence in the police will also have an impact.

"If there is more trust in the community, I think they will solve more," Meyer asked.

She said, "That's right. I trusted some, not all."

She keeps voicing while waiting for her justice. She is visiting Terrell's memorial garden to find peace.

"When you pass here, you always need to know that a 3-year-old child was killed in this area. His family (our maize) wants justice. You always need to know, "she said. What we found locally is part of a CBS News survey on the reasons for unresolved murders across the country.

Full coverage of "no punishment crime" and CBS news from CBS stations nationwide are availablehere