SPOKANE-- Crime slowed down this year across Spokane and detectives say there are a record low number of murders.
KREM 2's Katie Utehs found out where the cases of 2011 stand.
In the city of Spokane there were only four homicide cases this past year; less than half of what the city normally sees.
Sergeant Mark Griffiths oversees the major crimes unit of the Spokane Police Department and says this year they've worked a record low number of homicide cases.
The first homicide case happened in August with the violent killing of Evon Moore.
Police arrested suspect Derrick Vargas on another assault case, and say he'll likely be charged for the murder pending DNA results.
Police say John Castro and a group of friends shot and killed Jose Solis Junior during a fight at the downtown quality inn in November.
Police say Melinda Barrera and David McLaughlin shot and killed their neighbor Robert Nelson earlier this month.
Last week police arrested Yukio Rideb who police say he beat his friend Romero Vivit and dumped his body in the Spokane River.
All four homicide cases have suspects behind bars and detectives will work to compile evidence for upcoming trials.
Sergeant Griffiths also says the numbers of violent assaults are down this year.
