The number of homicides in the city of Chicago has reached 500 in 2012, according to Chicago Police Superintendent, Garry McCarthy.  This is a horrifying number, even in a city notorious for it’ violent crime.

In a statement made Friday, McCarthy called it a “tragic number that is reflective of the gang violence and proliferation of illegal guns that have plagued some of our neighborhoods.”

Chicago police were apprehensive to confirm the number, but finally confirmed that a 40-year-old Chicago man who had been shot in the head was officially the 500th homicide victim of the year.  2008 was the last time the city reported more than 500 homicides with 512.  In 2011, 435 murders were reported.