The murder rate in Grand Rapids has dropped to its lowest level in 50 years.

The Grand Rapids Police Department released 2014 statistics Wednesday morning. In 2014, there were only six murders in Grand Rapids. In 2013, Grand Rapids saw 17 murders. Over the last 24 years, Grand Rapids has averaged just over 17 murders per year.

GRPD says that of the six murders in 2014, none were committed with the use of a firearm. Knives were used in three of the murders, and the other three were assaults with hands or feet.

Suspects in a third of the murders were female, which the police department says is an "unusually high percentage".

The murder rate in Grand Rapids dropped 65% from 2013 to 2014.

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